by Dilly Court
Lucy sensed her mother’s deep distress and she longed to comfort her, but she was at a loss to know how. ‘That must have been terrible,’ she whispered. ‘I’m so sorry.’
Christelle tossed the butt of the cigarillo into the fire and sank down on her chair. ‘It was the worst time in my life. I had no money and no way of finding out what had happened to my husband. If it hadn’t been for Ma I think we would have starved to death. Then one day Sir William came to tell me that Julius had followed his cousin to Paris, and they had fought the fatal duel.’ She fixed her lambent gaze on her daughter. ‘Can you imagine how I felt? I was just sixteen and a widow. He offered to take you and bring you up as his own, but I refused. A decision I came to regret.’
‘That’s quite a story,’ Bram said warily. ‘It’s so far-fetched it could be true; either that or you’re an accomplished actress, Miss Arnaud.’
Christelle inclined her head. ‘Thank you, but I can assure you that every word is true. And it’s Madame Arnaud.’
‘Did you go to France when you left us?’ Lucy asked dazedly. She was shocked but somehow unsurprised by the things she had just heard. It was not difficult to believe that Linus had behaved in such a despicable fashion.
‘I couldn’t afford the rent, small as it was. We moved north of the river and took a room in Whitechapel, not far from here. Ma did her best to earn money selling second-hand clothes in Rosemary Lane, but it wasn’t the life I wanted for myself and I couldn’t convince myself that Julius was dead. I was desperate to find his grave if only to say a last goodbye.’ She lit another cigarillo. ‘I earned a little money by singing in the local pubs, and then I met a French sailor who promised to take me to Paris. He smuggled me onto his ship, but having got what he wanted he abandoned me in Calais. I’m not proud of myself for being such a young fool. I was still only sixteen and didn’t speak a word of French. I had no money and I was stranded.’
‘Serves you right, if you ask me,’ Hester muttered. ‘Women of easy virtue usually get what they deserve.’
‘Hester!’ Lucy turned on her, scowling. ‘That’s enough. Can’t you see it hurts Mama to speak of such things?’
Hester shrugged her shoulders. ‘I’ve got to get on with supper or you’ll all starve.’
‘I’ve told you everything,’ Christelle said, rising to her feet and tossing the half-smoked cigarillo into the fire. ‘I confess that I didn’t come to London to find you, Lucy. But suddenly, and to my surprise, I felt the need to see my girl and find out what sort of woman she had become. I asked Linus if he knew your whereabouts but he swore that he had no idea where you were living. He told me to go and see your friend Theodora Northam, although I don’t think his intention was to be helpful; he simply saw a way to get rid of me. I still had the gun and he was probably afraid I might carry out my threat. I wish now that I had.’
‘So you went to see Dora.’ Lucy stood up, facing her mother with a perplexed frown. ‘But she wouldn’t have known where I was. I’ve been away.’
‘Performing in the circus,’ Christelle said, chuckling. ‘My dear, you’re more like me than you realise. She directed me to your man Goldspink and he told me everything. You’ve had quite an adventure, Lucy.’
Bram moved to Lucy’s side. ‘What do you want from her, Christelle? If you didn’t come to make amends for abandoning her, why are you here?’
She was silent for a moment. ‘I really don’t know. Perhaps I do have some maternal feelings after all, or maybe it was just curiosity.’
‘And now you have satisfied your curiosity I suppose you’ll be heading back to France.’ Bram reached out to take Lucy’s hand in his. ‘Do you really think it was the right thing to come here and rake up all the hurt from the past?’
‘I don’t suppose I gave it any thought at all.’ Christelle’s laughter was shrill and mirthless. ‘That’s the sort of woman I am, but Theodora told me how much Lucy has suffered and how she’s handled all the bad things that have happened to her, and it makes me proud to have borne such a child.’
Lucy looked her mother in the eye with an unflinching stare. ‘But I’m no longer a child. Are you going to run away again and leave me?’
‘I have another two performances at Wilton’s,’ Christelle said evasively. ‘I have to honour my agreement with the manager, and then I should return to France.’ She opened her reticule, turning her head to give Hester a whimsical smile. ‘No, I’m not going to smoke again. This is something much more important.’ She handed a folded document to Lucy. ‘This is the genuine marriage certificate. I was going to give it to Goldspink, but I wanted you to see it first. He’s already started proceedings to reclaim your estate, or what’s left of it, from Linus, but he’ll need this to take to court.’
Lucy took it from her and unfolded the sheet of paper. Her eyes filled with tears. ‘Thank you. I don’t know what else to say.’
‘I suppose I should be grateful that you speak to me at all,’ Christelle said with a sudden flash of humour. ‘Now I really must go and rest before my performance. Will you come and watch the show tonight? I could leave tickets for you at the box office.’
Lucy nodded her head. ‘We’ll come, of course. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.’
On stage Christelle was undoubtedly the star of the show. The audience clapped, cheered, stamped and whistled their approval, calling for encore after encore. Lucy sat with Bram in the gallery overlooking the stage and her heart swelled with pride. For all her faults, Christelle was her mother and she had eventually come to find her. She could have returned to France when she had done with Linus, but she had chosen to take work locally and await her daughter’s return. Lucy knew now that the mother–daughter bond was there, even if it was tenuous, and if she had her way it would never again be broken. They might not have the close relationship she would have wished for, but she had a growing admiration for her mother’s brave stand against a critical world and her determination to succeed. She turned her head to meet Bram’s steady gaze. He smiled. ‘She’s a star in her own right, Lucy.’
‘Yes, she’s wonderful. I’m proud of her.’
He leaned forward to kiss her cheek. ‘Then you must tell her so. I think it took a lot of courage for her to come here and relive the past. I thought at first it was an act, but then I realised how important it was to her that you understood and accepted her for what she is.’
‘I do,’ Lucy whispered. ‘I couldn’t leave my own child, but Ma is different from the rest of us. I suppose that comes with a great talent like hers.’
Bram leaned back in his seat. ‘She’s a popular lady. Perhaps now she’ll return to London more often and make a name for herself here.’
‘That would be perfect,’ Lucy said, leaning her head against his shoulder. ‘And tomorrow I’ll take the marriage certificate to Mr Goldspink and hear what he has to say.’
Goldspink looked up from a sheaf of papers on his desk. The office was in its usual state of chaos, with open law books abandoned on the floor and parchment scrolls tied with red tape tossed seemingly at random into the corners of the room. Lucy perched on the edge of the chair with Bram standing at her side. ‘Now we have proof of your legitimacy it’s a foregone conclusion that you will be able to claim your inheritance.’ Goldspink peered at her over the top of his spectacles. ‘Or what’s left of it, Miss Pocket. I’m sorry to say that the house in Albemarle Street has already been sold to pay off the majority of Mr Daubenay’s creditors.’
‘I suspected as much,’ Lucy said calmly. ‘Do you think he’ll carry out his threat to bankrupt me? The money in question was for the upkeep of his children, but Bram is prepared to repay it if necessary.’
‘If anyone is going to be bankrupted it will be Mr Daubenay. You need not worry about the money you accepted in good faith and no doubt spent for the purpose for which it was intended.’
‘Yes, of course, and the children are safe and well.’
Goldspink took off his glasses and huffed on the lenses, wipin
g them on a grubby handkerchief. ‘Where are they now, Miss Pocket? I only ask because it might be better if you removed them from their present abode to a place of safety.’
Lucy’s hand flew to her mouth and her stomach jolted as if she had missed a step on the stairs. ‘Why? What’s happened?’
Chapter Twenty-Four
GOLDSPINK REPLACED HIS spectacles, hooking them over his tiny ears, having had to search beneath tufts of grey hair to find them. ‘I’d say that Linus Daubenay is now an extremely desperate man. He’ll do anything to save himself from the disgrace of bankruptcy, and from what you’ve told me he knows that his lies have been exposed. The children would seem to me to be his only asset. If he should discover their whereabouts who knows what action he might take?’
Lucy glanced up at Bram. ‘We must stop him at all costs.’
He laid his hand on her shoulder. ‘Don’t worry, my love. He doesn’t know where they are and has no way of finding out.’
‘I hope you’re right, but I won’t be happy until I have them safe and sound.’ Lucy rose to her feet. ‘Am I correct in thinking that Marriott Park will be mine again when everything is settled?’
Goldspink nodded his head, beaming. ‘Yes, that is so. Mr Daubenay seems to have run through most of your late grandfather’s assets, but you should be left with the estate in Essex, which has a substantial acreage of good farmland and an income from several small tenants.’
Lucy slipped her hand through the crook of Bram’s arm. ‘It’s a bit bigger than a country cottage, but it will make a wonderful home for us and our children.’
His lips twitched. ‘Hold on, Miss Pocket. As far as I know it’s not a leap year. When the time is right, I’ll do the proposing.’
Lucy tossed her head. ‘Why would I need to marry at all? I’m an heiress now, Bram. I’m an independent woman.’ She turned to smile at Goldspink, who was watching them open-mouthed. ‘Thank you for all you’ve done for me, Mr Goldspink. I understand what you’re saying, but the children are in a very safe place. Linus would never find them where they are now.’
They arrived home to find a carriage and pair waiting at the kerb outside the house. Lucy recognised it instantly. ‘It must be Dora,’ she said excitedly. ‘I doubt if Piers would pay a visit after our last meeting.’
‘If that fellow is still bothering you I’ll put a stop to his game.’ Bram stopped to pay the cabby, leaving Lucy free to hurry up the front steps.
Bedwin let her in, but she could tell from his expression that all was not well. ‘What’s the matter?’ she demanded anxiously. ‘Is everything all right?’
‘Miss Northam is in the front parlour, miss. I think you’d best go in and hear what she has to say, although I couldn’t make head or tail of it myself.’
Lucy burst into the room to find Dora seated by the window. She jumped to her feet. ‘I’ve done a terrible thing. I’m so sorry but he made me tell him, and I didn’t know what to do. I came straight here in the hope of finding you, although I was afraid you might still be with the circus and if that was the case I would have been quite desperate.’
‘What are you talking about?’ Lucy asked, pressing her down on the sofa. ‘Sit down and tell me what’s happened.’
‘It’s so dreadful. He came to our house and forced his way in. Piers wasn’t there and I had to deal with him on my own.’
‘You’re not making any sense, Dora dear. Slow down and catch your breath. Who came to your house?’
‘Can’t you guess?’ Dora dabbed her streaming eyes with a scrap of lace that served as a handkerchief. ‘Linus, of course. He demanded to know where you were, and he kept on and on until finally I gave in and told him about the circus. He was so angry and wild-looking that I was terrified of him. Have I done the wrong thing? Please say you understand and you’re not angry with me.’
Lucy shook her head. ‘Of course not. You weren’t to blame in any way. I know what Linus is like, but he must be stopped. Mr Goldspink warned me that he might try to snatch the children, and I’m sure that must be his intention.’
‘But why? I don’t understand.’
‘It’s a bit complicated, Dora. But I have to stop him. How long ago did this happen?’
‘An hour ago, or maybe two – I’m not sure. I came here as soon as I’d found the right bonnet to go with my dress. I couldn’t wear an ugly straw hat with this peach tussore gown; it simply wouldn’t go and I’d have looked a positive fright.’
‘I must speak to Bram. Stay there and try to calm yourself, Dora. I’ll ask Bedwin to bring you a glass of water.’ Lucy ran from the room and was met in the doorway by Bram.
‘What’s the matter?’ he demanded, glancing over her shoulder at Dora, who was sobbing quietly into her hanky.
‘Linus forced her to tell him where the children were. He’ll have gone to get them, Bram. I know that’s what he’ll do. He’s a desperate man and we have to stop him.’
‘Calm yourself, sweetheart. I’ll go right away.’
‘I’m coming too.’
‘All right. I’ll go and look for a cab.’
‘My carriage is outside,’ Dora said, stifling a sob. ‘I can take you to the station. Perhaps I ought to come too as it’s my fault Linus knows where to find the children.’
‘Taking us to the station would be a big help, but there’s no need for you to come with us. If you really want to do something for me you could send a message to Mr Goldspink and let him know what’s happened.’ Lucy knew there was little point in telling her solicitor, but it would give Dora something to do and hopefully make her feel less guilty.
‘What on earth is going on?’ Christelle appeared in the doorway, blinking sleepily. ‘My room is directly above this one and I could hear raised voices and someone crying.’ She stared at Dora. ‘I know the weeping person. Why is she here?’
‘Yes, Mama – I mean, Christelle – you’ve already met my friend Dora Northam. She came with some disturbing news.’
Dora looked up, her tears drying on her cheeks. ‘You’re the famous singer Madame Arnaud,’ she said shyly. ‘You didn’t tell me that when you came to call, but I saw an article about you in the newspaper and an engraved portrait, which, if I may say so, didn’t do you justice.’
Christelle smiled graciously. ‘Thank you, my dear. You’re too kind.’
‘My parents have seen you perform,’ Dora added, warming to the subject. ‘They’re in Paris, you know. Papa has a position in the British Embassy and I’m thinking of joining them.’
‘You’ll love it, my dear. Paris is heaven on earth and I’ve always wanted to see inside the embassy.’
‘I’m sure Papa could arrange it.’
‘Really, Dora? That would be delightful.’
Bram held the door open. ‘You were on your way to speak to your coachman, Dora.’
‘So I was. I am a silly scatterbrain sometimes.’ Dora picked up her peach tussore skirts and hurried from the room with Bram close on her heels.
‘Charming girl,’ Christelle said airily. ‘The embassy balls are legendary in Paris. An invitation to attend one would be a plume in my bonnet, let alone a feather in my cap.’ She turned her attention to Lucy. ‘Where are you going in such a hurry?’
‘I haven’t time to go into details, but Linus made Dora tell him where the children are. He’s gone to look for them.’
‘They’re his brats, aren’t they?’
‘He didn’t want anything to do with them when their mother died. He left them in my care because he thought he’d hooked a rich heiress, and now he wants them because he thinks he might be able to wriggle out of trouble using them as hostages. He has no feeling for them at all.’
‘That sounds like the Linus I know and hate. Give me a moment and I’ll be ready to accompany you.’ Christelle made for the door. ‘Don’t go without me. I want to make sure that worm gets his just desserts.’
Lucy followed her into the hall. ‘Wouldn’t it be better if you stayed here? You’ve got a sho
w tonight.’
‘I’ve waited for years to see Linus humiliated and reduced to nothing. I’m not missing this for the world.’ Christelle disappeared into the gloom at the top of the staircase, leaving Lucy staring after her.
It was late afternoon by the time they arrived at their destination. Christelle had entertained them on the train journey with accounts of her many successes on the stages of Europe and far beyond, but Lucy’s attention had wandered. She could only hope that they would reach the circus before Linus descended upon the children, wielding his rights as their father.
They clambered down from the farm cart which had been the only means of transport available when they arrived at the station. The farmer had just dropped off several crates of chickens and the cart itself was less than clean. To Lucy’s surprise Christelle had taken it all in her stride. She had bundled up her silk skirts and perched on the wooden seat, ignoring the fact that her dainty shoes were resting on a bed of straw and animal droppings.
Lucy left her mother with Bram as she hurried off in search of the children, but she was waylaid by one of the white-faced clowns, who asked if she was going to perform in the show that evening. She had hoped to avoid Monty, but he was standing outside the Starrs’ caravan talking to Obadiah, and he spotted her before she had a chance to hurry past. ‘Lucy. You’re back.’ He walked towards her, beaming. ‘Have you come to stay this time?’
‘I’m looking for the children, Monty. I can’t explain now, but I must find them.’
His smile faded. ‘And I thought you were eager to see me.’
‘This is serious. I must know they’re safe.’
‘I saw them not ten minutes ago. Bertie was with the horses, as usual, and the two girls were helping Froniga fetch water from the stream.’ He caught her by the arm as she was about to walk away. ‘What’s the matter? Why are you so worried about them? Don’t you trust us to take care of our own?’
She glanced down at his strong, suntanned fingers as they closed in a vice-like grip around her arm. ‘Let me go, please, Monty. I’m seriously worried about their safety, and it has nothing to do with the circus people.’
