A Handful of Sovereigns

by A Handful of Sovereigns (retail) (epub)

  Back in the dining room Bella rose to her feet, a look of concern on her face. ‘Dear me, Miss Paige, is there anything I can do for you?’ she asked solicitously.

  Maggie shook her head weakly. ‘No, thank you. I apologise for the unpleasant scene, I don’t often get any trouble in here. Now if you will be kind enough to wait, I’ll fetch your order.’

  Gathering up her gloves Bella adjusted her bonnet, saying quickly, ‘Don’t trouble yourself, Miss Paige. As a matter of fact I’ve just remembered I promised my mother I’d be home for tea, she had people coming round.’ Picking up her bag from the table she nodded at the still shaken girl and quickly left.

  ‘I’m sorry, Maggie, I wasn’t much use was I?’ Charlie was by her side, his hand holding the back of his head gingerly.

  ‘You did fine, love,’ Maggie reassured him. ‘He’s a big man; it was very brave of you to tackle him.’

  The words did nothing to soothe Charlie’s hurt pride, and with a shrug of his shoulders he returned to the kitchen to lick his wounds.

  The men returned to their meal with much laughing and shouting. ‘He won’t be showing his face back here again, Maggie love,’ one of them called to her. ‘How’s abaht a nice mug a tea, that’s if you’re feeling up ter it.’

  Maggie looked at her friends and smiled gratefully. ‘Oh, I’m up to it all right, Fred, and what’s more it’s on the house, for all of you.’ Her eyes swept the group of men who in turn shuffled awkwardly on their chairs, their rough faces embarrassed at the look of gratitude on the young girl’s lovely face.

  Charlie jumped up from his chair when Maggie walked into the kitchen, his eyes bright with unshed tears of mortification. Bustling past him she set about pouring the mugs of tea for her saviours.

  ‘You gonna tell Harry about what happened?’ he asked querulously.

  ‘Tell Harry, why should I tell Harry?’ She looked at him in surprise.

  ‘Well, I just thought…’ he mumbled uncomfortably.

  ‘Now look here, me lad,’ she said brusquely, ‘just because Harry owns this place, it doesn’t mean I have to go running to him with every little problem. Besides, it’s over now. Jimmy wouldn’t dare come back here, not after what happened. And you can stop worrying about his sister as well. She’s gone and I don’t blame her. She’s probably not used to witnessing unpleasant scenes. I doubt if she’ll be back either.’

  ‘Well, in that case, at least Jimmy’s done something right for once in his life,’ the boy muttered sullenly, although he couldn’t see that spiteful old bitch being frightened off by a fight. In fact he would have imagined she would have enjoyed seeing men punching each other’s faces in.

  * * *

  Sitting in the hansom cab, Bella sat by the window, her eyes scanning the pavement for the man who had just been thrown bodily from the dining rooms. The idea to visit Harry’s new establishment had been born out of a desire to see if she could find out something detrimental about his new lady friend, and in doing so bring him down from his high pedestal and smash his newly found happiness. Also of course it had given her the chance to mingle with the kind of men she liked the most, although she would never admit that, even to herself. Her plans had seemed doomed to failure at first. Everyone she had spoken to had a liking for the young scut that ran the place. But now, oh, yes, now she had finally got something on her, if only she could find the man.

  Then she saw him. He was leaning up against a lamppost, his arms wrapped around his body in an effort to keep warm.

  Calling out for the driver to stop, she leaned out of the window and raising her voice to be heard over the milling crowd she called, ‘You, you there, by the lamppost, come here, I wish to talk to you.’

  Jimmy heard the strident voice but paid no heed; he was too busy thinking up ways to get even with the Paiges. ‘You, man, yes, you,’ she added when Jimmy finally lifted his head to see who was shouting. His mouth dropped in amazement when he realised that the well-dressed woman was beckoning to him. Lowering his hands to his sides, he walked uncertainly towards her.

  ‘You talking to me, miss?’ he asked, ready to back away if she started yelling.

  ‘Yes, I’m talking to you. Quickly, get in the cab, you’re attracting attention and I’ve no wish for my personal business to be voiced abroad.’

  Hardly daring to believe his ears, Jimmy pulled open the door and settled himself nervously on the edge of the seat.

  ‘I won’t keep you from your business,’ Bella started, her voice pitched high at what she had done in asking this man to sit with her. ‘I was unfortunate enough to witness that unsavoury scene. Normally I wouldn’t trouble myself with such matters, nor for that matter would I frequent such places, but my brother owns the so-called restaurant and I feel obliged to keep an eye on the place as he is unable to do so. From what I heard it seems the Paige girl isn’t as innocent as my brother seems to think she is; if that is the case I wish to know. She has inveigled herself into both my brothers’ affections, and obviously if there is any possibility of them being harmed in any way, it is my duty to prevent it. You are – or were – on intimate terms with her at one time and would know if there were anything in her past that my brother should be made aware of. Well, speak up, man, I haven’t got all day.’

  Jimmy licked his lips, his mind racing as he surveyed the woman seated opposite him. Gawd, but she must have been at the back of the queue when they were handing out the looks. Still… she wasn’t short of a few bob, not if that brown outfit and sable muff were anything to go by. Those pearl earrings hadn’t come from Paddy’s market either. Taking off his cap he thought hard before answering. If there was one thing he was a good judge of, it was women, and this one for all her fine clothes was hungry for a man; it was there in her eyes, that unmistakable look. And if he played his cards right, he could be onto a good thing.

  Assuming a wounded expression he said earnestly, ‘I don’t know if I should say anyfing, ma’am. I mean with her being such a good friend of your brother’s an’ all.’ He waited for her reaction, then seeing her shoulders arch back with impatience he hurried on, ‘But she’s a bad ’un all right. I used ter be married ter her sister, God rest her soul.’ Here he crossed himself piously. ‘I was gonna look after her and her brother, but the pair of ’em did the dirty on me. Right after the funeral it was; my wife’s that is. Anyway I’d just come in after seeing me Mum home safely, when that little brat bashed me over the ’ead as soon as I come in the door. When I woke up all me money had gorn, and them with it. I couldn’t get a job, and then I was thrown out onto the streets. I’ve done all right up ter now, but… well to be honest, ma’am, I’m in a pickle. That’s why I came here tonight, I thought as how she, Maggie that is, I thought she owed me something, after all I could ’ave ’ad the police on her and…’

  ‘Why didn’t you?’ Bella interrupted sharply. ‘Surely if what you say is true, the first action to take would be to inform the police. After all a crime was committed.’

  Jimmy squirmed on the seat. Maybe he had been mistaken about her, maybe she was just looking after her brother’s interests… Yet he had been so sure. Raising his eyes warily he felt a jolt of triumph run through him at the undisguised look of lust in her black eyes. Careful not to let her see his expression he kept his gaze lowered.

  ‘I couldn’t ’ave done that, ma’am, we are family after all’s said and done, and yer don’t drop yer family to the coppers. But there is something else you should know; she got the money for her first business by going on the game. She only did it the one night, but she done well. Three sovereigns from the first geezer, then £20 from another one wot brought ’er ’ome in a cab. Gawd knows what she done for that amount, must ’ave been something special… begging yer pardon, ma’am,’ he added hastily, afraid he may have gone too far.

  Jimmy needn’t have worried. Bella was far too busy assessing the potential of the man sitting so near to her. He was dirty and his clothes were threadbare, but clean him up and put him in f
ine clothes and…

  Clearing her throat noisily she said, ‘I may need to find you again. If all you say is indeed true, then of course I shall have to inform my brother. If you tell me where I can find you, I’ll be in touch as soon as I decide what course of action to take.’

  He had her; he bloody well had her. Brother’s welfare, my arse – she was looking for a man, and what better man than himself? So what if she had a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp? As his old dad used to say; you don’t look at the mantelpiece when you’re poking the fire.

  Lowering his eyes once more he said shamefacedly, ‘Lord, ma’am, but I feel embarrassed. The truth is I ain’t got nowhere ter go. If I’d had the money ter find meself a place fer the night, I wouldn’t ’ave gorn cap in hand ter that loose bitch… Sorry, ma’am.’

  Bella waved his explanations away. Opening her leather bag she extracted a £5 note. ‘This should be enough to cover your expenses for the time being. I shall meet you at ten o’clock on the corner of Bright Road tomorrow. Do you know the place?’ When Jimmy nodded eagerly she motioned to the door. ‘Very good, until tomorrow then.’

  Jimmy took the hint, and with one bound was out of the carriage and back on the pavement.

  ‘By the way, I shall need to know your name, sir.’

  ‘Jimmy Simms, ma’am, at your service,’ he replied jauntily. He watched as the carriage pulled away, a huge grin engulfing his florid face. ‘At your service indeed, ma’am,’ he added beneath his breath before setting off for the nearest pub.

  Twenty

  Beatrice Stewart took a sip of coffee, her eyes travelling the length of the long dining-table and sighed inwardly. Laying the bone-china cup back in its saucer she leaned back in her chair, her gaze settling on Hugh. Whatever was the matter with the man? He looked as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Something was troubling him, that was certain, but what? Next to him Lotte sat quietly, a strained smile on her lips while her hands played nervously with a white table napkin. The sight of her future daughter-in-law struggling to put on a brave face caused Beatrice’s heart to lurch against her ribs. Oh, dear. Was everything all right between Lotte and Hugh? Neither of them had said anything to the contrary, but it was painfully obvious that something was amiss.

  Picking up her cup she took another sip, her mind wondering whether or not to risk taking Lotte aside and asking if there was anything troubling her. There was always the chance she would be told to mind her own business… No, no, Lotte was far too nice a person to be rude, even if she did think the person in question was interfering. She would wait until the men had retired to the study, then take Lotte to one side and ask her outright. Luckily Bella had taken to retiring to her room immediately after supper, so there was no need to worry about her unwelcome presence.

  That was something else that had been troubling her of late. The change in her daughter over the past three months had been nothing short of miraculous. The once sullen, disagreeable woman had been transformed into a smiling, courteous person that bore no resemblance to the Bella they all knew. Edward had put the sudden change of character down to the threat of being sent to Wales, but Beatrice wasn’t convinced. If she didn’t know better she would swear her daughter had fallen in love. The thought brought her head back with a jolt. Could it be, could Bella possibly have met someone? She had been going out a lot of late. Oh no, she couldn’t have, the idea was preposterous. Sneaking a glance at her daughter sitting beside her she noted the smile hovering around the thin lips and noticed for the first time the softness in the plain face. Again she felt a lurch of fear. Whoever had said that motherhood was the fulfilment of a woman’s dream must have been a man. The moments of joy were far outweighed by the burdens of worry, even when the children in question had reached adulthood.

  Sighing gently she turned her attention to Harry. Even he had seem preoccupied of late, but then he was worried about the new buildings being ready on time. Yet it wasn’t like Harry to bring his troubles home with him.

  ‘Cyril Jenkins has asked if we would like to accompany him and his wife to Ascot at Easter. What do you think, my dear, would you like to go?’ Edward’s voice broke into her thoughts. Thankful of the diversion Beatrice turned her attention to her husband.

  Hugh stared into his half-filled wine glass, his face drawn and pale. What was he to do? He couldn’t go on like this any longer. From the moment he had seen Maggie lying so ill he had been forced to admit that he loved her, and had loved her from their very first meeting. Yet what could he have done? It had been obvious from the start that Harry looked on her as his own property, and whatever Harry wanted, Harry invariably got. The idea of trying to take Maggie away from his elder brother had never crossed his mind; until now.

  With his impending wedding only a few months away, he had become more agitated with each passing day. He had hoped the feelings he had for Maggie would eventually fade, but that hadn’t happened; he knew now with increased certainty that it never would.

  ‘Are you feeling all right, dear?’

  He jumped guiltily at the sound of Lotte’s voice by his side. Turning his head he looked into her concerned face and quickly lowered his gaze, muttering, ‘It’s nothing to be concerned about, I’m feeling a little off colour that’s all. As a matter of fact I think I’ll retire early if you don’t mind me escorting you home now.’

  Before Lotte could reply Harry pushed back his chair and said, ‘What’s up, Hugh? Are you feeling rough, can I do anything for you?’

  ‘Is everything all right, Hugh?’ Beatrice joined in the conversation.

  Hugh looked around at the worried faces surrounding him and had the sudden urge to scream at them, at all of them. His stomach was churning painfully at the knowledge of what he was going to do. His family would be shocked to the core, and Lotte… Poor Lotte. She didn’t deserve to be jilted, but better now than at the altar. Because he knew in his heart that he could never go through with marrying her. Oh why had he ever asked her – it had been a mistake from the start. If only he had been born with some gumption, then he wouldn’t have had to contend with Bella’s unnatural attentions and be forced into a hasty proposal to a woman he didn’t love in order to get away from her. Yet he could have been happy with Lotte if Charlie hadn’t arrived that night and reopened all his old feelings… If only, if only… God, what a mess!

  ‘I can escort Lotte home if you’re not up to it, old man,’ Harry was saying, already on his feet.

  ‘Nonsense, she can stay here tonight,’ Beatrice interjected, ‘You get off to bed, dear, we’ll take care of Lotte.’

  ‘No really, I’d rather go home, thank you all the same,’ Lotte too had risen to her feet, her face pale and set.

  ‘What’s all this, who’s going home?’ Edward blinked his eyes rapidly, emerging from his brandy induced nap.

  Hugh remained seated, his hands held to his head as the babble of voices flowed around him. He couldn’t take much more. If they didn’t stop fussing he’d go mad. All he wanted was to get away from the house, from all of them. But first he had to take Lotte home and once there… He shook his head. Don’t think about it, he told himself. Just take her home and then tell her. She half-suspects anyway. She’ll be hurt and upset but not overly surprised. Lotte was a very intelligent and observant woman, he only hoped she would be understanding.

  Scraping back his chair he rose unsteadily to his feet. ‘I said I was feeling a bit off colour,’ he shouted above the voices, ‘I didn’t say I was at death’s door. Now if you’ll excuse us, Lotte and I will take our leave.’

  Ignoring the shocked faces that accompanied his outburst he took Lotte’s arm and led her from the room. When the door had closed behind them, an uneasy silence settled on the room. Harry was the first to leave the table, followed closely by Bella. Left alone with her husband Beatrice felt her eyes fill with tears and didn’t quite know why she was crying.

  * * *

  In her room Bella sat before the ornate dressing table smi
ling at her reflection. Lord, what a fuss they had all made about Hugh, and only a few short months ago she herself would have been the most worried. But things had changed, oh indeed they had, and all for the better. Before meeting Jimmy she had lived her life through others, but no more. Now she had a real life of her own, a life that had suddenly taken on new meaning.

  Every morning when she awoke she imagined for a brief moment that all that had happened was merely a dream and then she would remember Jimmy. Jimmy with his strong arms holding her, his solid body pressed tight against her own. Jimmy with his whispered words of love and promises, his voice thick with emotion as his lips travelled down her throat towards her upturned breasts. The image her mind presented her with brought out beads of sweat on her brow. God, how she needed him, wanted him right now, this minute. Wiping her forehead with a white handkerchief she leaned back on the plush, red upholstered chair.

  If only Jimmy wasn’t so concerned about the differences in their social status they could be married, but the dear, sweet man was worried that he wasn’t good enough for her. He was trying desperately hard to set up his own business, but every time the impending deal came near to fruition something happened to send his dreams tumbling down around him. Only two weeks ago he had cried on her shoulder, telling her to forget him and find someone who was more worthy of her. The sight of the big, proud man so obviously distressed and humiliated had filled her with a fierce protectiveness for him.

  Giving a small sigh she removed her pearl necklace and earrings and opened her jewel box. Biting on her lower lip she stared down into the nearly empty box. For the past six weeks she had been selling her jewels in order to finance Jimmy’s endeavours into the world of business. Only the other night her mother had asked why she wasn’t wearing the emeralds with her green evening gown. It was only a matter of time before she was found out, and then what? Closing the lid of the box she thought hard. It wasn’t Jimmy’s fault his ventures kept failing, he just wasn’t used to dealing with men of business. Now if they were married, she could help him. They could build a future together. If only she could persuade him that she didn’t want or need a big house and servants to be happy, that all she wanted was him. If she could make him believe that she would be happy sharing two rooms as long as he was in them with her, then maybe he would forget all this nonsense about their social differences and marry her.