by Dilly Court
Rose was looking forward to the weddings, but she found the thought of meeting Vere again unnerving. Her conscience still bothered her when she remembered her hasty departure from Portmorna House. It was, of course, unforgiveable since she had received nothing but kindness and consideration from Vere, and she intended to apologise the moment a suitable opportunity arose. Cora, however, seemed to have put the past behind her, and was bubbling with excitement. Polly and Fancello were acting like twenty-year-old lovers, and Rose found herself wishing that she could return to London, and sanity.
By the time they arrived at their destination, Rose had her feelings well in hand, or so she thought, but as James handed her down from the carriage she saw Vere waiting to greet them, and standing at his side was Bennett. Her worst fears were realised – she would have to face them together.
Chapter Twenty-Four
‘Rose, how delightful you look.’ Vere came down the steps to greet her. He raised her hand to his lips and brushed it with a kiss.
‘Thank you,’ Rose said shyly. ‘It was kind of you to invite us all to stay. I hope we won’t be too many.’
‘Not at all. I have taken your advice and hired extra staff. Portmorna House now runs more or less like a well-oiled machine.’ He released her hand and extended it to Polly. ‘Miss Day, it’s an honour to welcome such a famous person to my home.’
Rose did not wait to listen to the pleasantries. She approached Bennett with a wary smile. ‘I think I owe you an apology,’ she said hastily. ‘I shouldn’t have said the things I did when we last met.’
‘Tact has never been my strong point, Rose. If you’re referring to my visit to your parents, I suppose I did take a lot on myself, but I did it with the best of intentions. However, I realise that I could have broken it more gently. I’m not surprised that you were angry.’
‘It was a shock, I admit. I still don’t know exactly why you took it upon yourself. I can’t imagine what Papa thought when you turned up on his doorstep.’
‘He was very polite, and he listened intently. He’s a deep-thinking, serious man, Rose. I believe he has difficulty in sharing his feelings, but that doesn’t mean that he is devoid of compassion.’
‘It’s a side of him I haven’t seen for a very long time.’
‘Nevertheless, it’s there.’ Bennett ushered her into the now familiar entrance hall. ‘You must be tired after your journey. We’ll talk again later. Kensa will show you to your room.’ He beckoned to the young girl who was neatly attired in a plain grey gown with a starched white cap and apron.
She bounded forward and came to a sudden halt, blushing to the roots of her hair. ‘Sorry, miss. I forgot to walk slow like Mrs Vennor showed me.’
‘That’s quite all right,’ Rose said, smiling. ‘It’s not easy, but it will come to you with practice.’ She turned her head to look for Maisie, and saw her struggling valiantly with their luggage, but just as Rose was going to ask someone to assist her, James went to her aid.
Cora was chatting to Vere, and Polly was walking slowly round the entrance hall, taking in every detail as if she were in a museum, with Fancello following her like a faithful hound.
‘Come this way, please, miss.’ Kensa walked slowly, measuring her tread across the polished floorboards, as if following a funeral cortège.
‘What’s the matter with the girl?’ Polly came to a halt beside Rose. ‘Is she a simpleton?’
Rose held her finger to her lips. ‘Hush, Aunt Polly, she’ll hear you.’
‘What is that girl doing?’ Cora joined them. ‘Is it a country dance?’
Kensa came to a halt at the foot of the stairs. ‘Did I do wrong, Miss Rose? Weren’t I going slow enough?’
‘You did extremely well,’ Rose said, nudging Cora in the ribs as she started to giggle. ‘Although you could, perhaps, walk a little faster.’
‘It ain’t easy being a maidservant,’ Kensa grumbled, taking the stairs two at a time with her skirts bunched up above her knees.
‘I can see some basic training is lacking.’ Polly shook her head. ‘This house needs a mistress, and that young man is in need of a wife.’
Rose hoped that her aunt’s voice had not carried to the hall below. She quickened her step in order to keep up with Kensa. The next few days, she thought, were going to be challenging.
Kensa came to a halt outside Rose’s old room. ‘This one’s yours, so Mrs Vennor said. I think that’s right, and yours is just along there, miss.’ She jerked her head in the direction of Cora’s bedchamber.
‘Thank you,’ Cora said politely. ‘I remember it well.’
‘And where are we?’ Polly demanded.
Kensa folded her arms across her chest, glaring at Polly. ‘I don’t see no wedding band, miss?’
‘Are you daring to judge me, child?’ Polly towered over her, but Kensa did not flinch.
‘Mrs Vennor said you should have two rooms, miss.’
Rose stood with her hand on the doorknob, waiting to see how Polly dealt with the situation. She could feel Cora’s silent laughter, but she managed to keep a straight face.
‘We are handfasted,’ Polly said grandly. ‘You have no need to fret, child.’
‘Oh, that’s all right then. Come this way, missis.’
Polly seized a mystified Fancello by the hand and followed Kensa.
‘Well!’ Cora exclaimed, giggling. ‘Handfasted! What on earth is that?’
‘I believe it’s something like jumping over a broomstick instead of going through a formal marriage ceremony. I thought for a moment that Aunt Polly was going to explode or strike the poor child dead.’
‘It’s lucky she didn’t have her parasol with her.’ Cora doubled up with laughter. ‘I can’t wait to tell Billy.’
‘I wonder if he’ll dine with us this evening.’
‘I hope so. Anyway, I’m going to my room to change. I’ll see you downstairs in the drawing room. Vere said he had a surprise for us, although I can’t think what it could be.’
‘We’ll find out soon.’ Rose entered her room. It was just as she had left it, although someone had thought to put a vase filled with her favourite sweet-scented roses on the washstand. Sunlight poured in through the open window and birdsong floated in on a gentle breeze. After the cramped confines of the room she shared with Cora in the London house, this was luxury indeed. She took off her bonnet and shawl and laid them on a damask-covered chair. If she had accepted Vere’s offer of marriage all this would have been hers. She went to sit on the window seat while she waited for Maisie to bring her valise and portmanteau.
Half an hour later, leaving Cora to finish getting ready, Rose made her way downstairs. She had changed into sprigged muslin afternoon gown, and Maisie had arranged her hair, taming the wild auburn curls into a demure chignon. Rose hesitated outside the drawing room, feeling unaccountably nervous, or perhaps it was excitement that made her hand shake as her fingers closed around the doorknob. She braced her shoulders, telling herself not to be so silly. She was not about to go on stage – she was with friends and family. She opened the door and stepped inside.
‘Oh, my goodness!’ She came to a halt, hardly able to believe her eyes. ‘Mama!’
Eleanor rose from the sofa where she had been seated between Polly and Fancello. She crossed the floor, arms outstretched. ‘Rose, my dear girl.’
They embraced, hugging each other, halfway between tears and laughter. Rose was the first to recover. She held her mother at arm’s length. ‘I wasn’t expecting to see you until the wedding.’
Seymour advanced on them, his stern features showing little emotion, but Rose thought she saw a hint of a smile in his pale eyes. He laid his hand on her shoulder. ‘It’s been too long, Rose.’
She nodded and swallowed hard. ‘I don’t understand.’ She looked to Bennett, who had risen from his chair, and was standing with his back to the flower-filled fireplace. Vere had also risen, but he gave her an encouraging smile and resumed his seat.
Seymour follo
wed her gaze. ‘You have Bennett to thank for this, Rose. He spoke to me briefly after the trial, and then he came to visit me in Dorset.’
Eleanor sank down on the nearest chair, fanning herself vigorously. ‘I’ve been looking forward to this moment, but where is Cora?’
‘She’ll join us directly.’ Rose perched on the arm of her mother’s chair. ‘The roses in my room,’ she said, thoughtfully. ‘You know they’re my favourite, Mama. It was your doing, wasn’t it?’
‘I’ve been helping Vere to put his house in order,’ Eleanor said, smiling. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed myself so much as I have these past two weeks while we’ve been settling into the parsonage.’
‘Settling in?’ Rose looked to Bennett. ‘I don’t understand.’
‘Once again, you have Vere to thank. He used his influence to recommend Seymour for the living when the former incumbent passed away.’
Vere rose to his feet and tugged at the embroidered bell pull. ‘I think this calls for a small celebration. You are not averse to a glass of port or a sherry, are you, Vicar?’
Seymour inclined his head. ‘I’ve been known to imbibe when the occasion merits it, sir.’
‘I’m sure the ladies would prefer tea.’ Vere looked to Eleanor for confirmation and she nodded.
‘Don’t I get a choice?’ Polly said crossly. ‘I need brandy after the shock I’ve had. I wasn’t expecting to meet my dear sister under such circumstances.’ She glared at Seymour. ‘I didn’t know you were going to conduct the ceremony. Does this mean that you are going to officiate at our wedding, should we choose to marry here?’
‘I will be conducting the service, Polly. I could do the same for you and Signor Fancello, if you so wish, although you would have to remain here while the banns were read, or apply for a special licence.’
‘Don’t think you can push me into marriage.’ Polly tossed her head. ‘It just so happens that we have decided to wed, haven’t we, dearest?’ She turned to Fancello, who nodded eagerly.
‘Yes, indeed. But perhaps it could wait until we return to London.’
‘Are you backing out of it again, Sandro?’ Polly faced him angrily. ‘You said you wanted to marry me. Have you changed your mind?’
He ran his finger around the inside of his stiffly starched collar. ‘No, of course not, cara mia. But can we afford to spend three weeks here while the banns are read? We would have to turn down the offer to appear at Lusby’s.’
‘You always were a difficult man,’ Polly said, sighing. ‘We will have to remain handfasted until we return to London.’ She shot a sideways glance at her brother-in-law. ‘Anyway, I don’t think you would have your heart in it, Seymour. You and I never did get on.’
‘Don’t start a fight, Polly,’ Eleanor said, wagging her finger at her sister. ‘This is going to be a joyful occasion. We’ve come round to Billy’s way of thinking and both Seymour and I approve of his marriage to Jenifry. She’s a sweet girl and will make him a good wife.’ She turned to her husband. ‘Isn’t that so, Seymour?’
He nodded. ‘Yes, my dear. Quite so.’
Rose stared at them in amazement. She had never heard her mother speak up in such a manner, and in the past she would never have put her own opinion forward. She caught Bennett’s eye and she knew instinctively that he understood.
Billy and Jenifry arrived in time for dinner, and Mrs Vennor had excelled herself. Luckily Kensa was not called upon to wait at table, and the new butler and parlour maid had been well trained. In an aside, Eleanor told Rose that Vere had entrusted her with the task of finding suitable servants, and she had wisely involved Mrs Vennor in their selection. Rose continued to be amazed by the change in her parents. Her father seemed much more human and less dom-ineering and her mother was a changed woman. She had gained in confidence and regained her health and vitality. It was, Rose thought, little short of a miracle.
Later that evening, when Eleanor and Seymour had returned to the vicarage and Billy had taken Jenifry home to her mother’s cottage, the rest of the party retired to the drawing room. Cora sat beside Vere on the sofa, playing backgammon, while Fancello accompanied Polly on the piano in a selection of the songs they performed on stage.
Rose was tired, but happy. She stood by one of the tall windows. The perfume of night-scented stocks and honeysuckle wafted in from the garden, where purple shadows had all but masked the lawn and the shrubbery had dissolved into darkness.
‘Would you care for a stroll?’
She turned with a start at the sound of Bennett’s voice. It would have been sensible to decline, but she was tired of being the level-headed, rational sister. She glanced over her shoulder at Cora, who was flirting outrageously with Vere. ‘Yes, that would be nice. It’s such a lovely evening.’
The tall sash windows opened onto the terrace and as she stepped outside Rose was conscious of the warm summer air caressing her cheeks. Above them the stars twinkled like diamond studs in an indigo velvet sky and the lawn was suddenly bathed in moonlight. She took deep breaths of the scented air.
‘It was you who persuaded my father to move here permanently, wasn’t it, Bennett?’
He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm as they walked slowly along the gravel path. ‘I’d discussed it with Billy. He was eager to heal the rift in the family, but he didn’t think your father would listen to anything he had to say.’
‘How did you do it? I know my pa; it can’t have been easy.’
‘It wasn’t as hard as you imagine. I think Mr Perkins had had time to think, and he realised what he had lost. He’s a good man, Rose, but stubborn, like someone else I know.’
She chuckled. ‘I suppose you mean me.’
‘You are like him in some ways, of course, but you are much prettier.’
‘Now you’re flattering me.’
‘No, I meant every word.’ He came to a sudden halt, taking both her hands in his. ‘I’ve been hovering in the background for too long, Rose. I kept my peace because I knew that Vere had feelings for you, and he’s a far better man than I.’
‘I won’t allow that,’ she said fiercely. ‘I admire and respect your cousin, and at one time I thought I might grow fond of him, but then I realised my mistake.’
‘Do you think you could grow fond of me?’
The question was not unexpected. The setting was romantic, and the barrier she had set up against heartbreak had been giving way, a little at a time. ‘What are you saying?’ she asked cautiously.
His eyes were in deep shadow, but his generous lips curved in a smile. ‘I always said you would make a good lawyer. I’m trying to tell you that I love you, Rose. I’ve always loved you, but at every turn fate seemed to throw an obstacle in my way.’ He drew her into his arms. ‘I wasn’t telling the entire truth earlier. Everything I’ve done has been for you, and you alone. Have I a chance, Rose?’
There was only one answer to this question. She slid her arms around his neck and closed her eyes. Her body responded to his as if they were two halves of the same coin, and they became one in a kiss that seemed to last for eternity, but was over too soon.
‘You do love me, Rose?’ His voice shook and he held her close. ‘I can feel your heart beating against mine. I never want to let you go.’
She closed her eyes and laid her head against his chest. ‘I do love you, Bennett. I just didn’t realise how much until now.’
‘I’m going to London first thing in the morning.’
Alarmed, she tilted her head to look him in the eye. ‘You’re leaving me so soon?’
‘I’m going to get a special licence. If you agree we’ll have a double wedding in your father’s church. I’m not letting you get away this time. What do you say, Rose?’
She put her head on one side. ‘What about the Sunshine Sisters?’
‘I won’t expect you to give up your stage career, if that’s what you mean. I’m proud of your success and I’m not the sort of man who’ll tie you to the home.’
‘Really?
’
‘Yes, really. I don’t want you to turn into a copy of your mother or your aunt Polly. I know very well that you have a mind of your own, Rose Perkins, and that’s part of the reason I’m so in love with you.’
She ran her hands through his hair, pulling his head down so that their lips met again in a breathless kiss. ‘I think a double wedding would be wonderful, Bennett.’
‘Then let’s go indoors and tell Vere and Cora.’
Rose glanced over his shoulder. She could see her sister and Vere with their heads close together as they laughed over something that had obviously amused them. ‘I don’t think they’ve even noticed that we’ve left the room. I’m afraid Joshua will be very disappointed if those two make a match of it, although I never did see Cora as a vicar’s wife.’
‘Did you see yourself as a struggling lawyer’s wife?’
‘No, but I see myself as your wife, Bennett, and one day you’ll be a QC. You’ll be twice as famous as the Sunshine Sisters, and I’ll be so proud of you.’
‘You will always make the sun shine for me, Rose.’
A Letter from Dilly
Dear Reader
With every book I write I become immersed in the characters, and getting to know them as the story evolves is a never-ending thrill. I admired the brave efforts of Rose and Cora as, with everything against them, they struggled to clear their brother’s name. It’s easy to forget the constraints under which Victorian women lived their lives, and that the freedoms we take for granted today were forbidden to them.
It took courage for women to rebel against the Victorian expectation that they would become the Angel in the House, and Aunt Polly would have been considered eccentric in the extreme when she opened her home for fallen women. That was purely imaginary but St Luke’s Hospital for Lunatics and its neighbour, the City of London Lying-In Hospital, did exist, with the Vinegar Works in the next street. I always use authentic sites and study old maps of London, prints and photographs so that I can see the area in my mind’s eye.
