“Thanks for this.” Jem ignored his comments, patting the pocket holding the item he’d searched the city for. “I appreciate it.”
He almost ran from the house. He had the answer to one of his problems but he’d a feeling he’d just acquired a lot more. Ivy’s uncle wanted something and he wasn’t a man known for taking no for an answer.
Chapter 39
Ivy pushed her pram along the railings that surrounded Stephen’s Green Park. She was almost home. She’d be glad to sit by the fire and think. The date of her wedding seemed to be galloping towards her. Everyone and his mother had an opinion about what she should, do, wear or say. She wished they’d all just leave her and Jem alone to get on with it. She approached Stephen’s Lane with a slight shiver. Ever since Father Leary had attacked her she’d been nervous about stepping into this tunnel. She refused to allow that man to scare her to that extent. She took a deep breath and, grabbing her courage in both hands, marched towards the entrance. She stood inside the lip of the tunnel for a moment, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the light.
“Ivy, there you are!” The Widow Rattigan stepped out of Wilson’s house where she rented the back rooms. The countrywoman’s long black widow’s dress was hanging on her frame, she’d lost that much weight since her husband died. “I’m getting ready to carry over the grub for that lot.” She waved her hand in the direction of the livery. “I haven’t the time to stop for a word.” She didn’t wait for a response but shouted, “Jem, I’ll need some of the lads to give me a hand! Tell them to come around the back and mind me animals.” Without waiting, the woman stepped back into Wilson’s house, closing the door at her back.
“That woman moves like lightning.” Jem had walked over to join Ivy. “I have my orders, it seems.” He turned and shouted for two of the lads who were washing down the horses. “Bill, Tiny, give Mrs Rattigan a hand – don’t let any of her animals out again.” Mrs Rattigan had one of the best-kept little farmyards Jem had ever seen, in the back yard of Mr Wilson’s house. It had taken them ages to get the geese and pig back inside their runs the last time the lads had been careless opening the back gate.
The two lads jumped to obey the order, anxious for their food. Some of them had been working since early morning without bit, bite nor hot sup – cold water didn’t fill an empty belly.
“Wait a minute, love,” Jem said to Ivy. “Ann Marie telephoned – we have orders to present ourselves at her house this evening.” He pressed a quick kiss into her hair, knowing what he was about to say would upset her. “It seems she wants a meeting with us to discuss our wedding.”
“Jem!” Ivy wanted to kick something.
“Nothing to do with me, love.” He stepped out of reach of her boots. “I’m passing on the message.”
“Where’s Emmy?” The child was usually to be found after school playing ball against the wall of the Stephen’s Lane tunnel with her friends.
“She’s with her da.” Jem shrugged. Edward O’Connor had permission to use Ann Marie’s house as his base. He slept at his club but seemed to be spending a great deal of time with Ann Marie. The child was running between her father and Jem, seeming to have no trouble adjusting to the changes in her life. He was dreading the time when O’Connor would remove Emmy from his care altogether.
“I better get about my business. I’ll need to have a wash and change me clothes if we’re going out.” Ivy had learned the importance of appearance. She wouldn’t turn up at her friend’s house looking like a rag bag. “You need to get cocked, powdered and shaved yourself, Mr Jem Ryan.”
“Right, you lads!” He clapped his hands to attract the attention of the young people working around the livery. He was aware of Ivy hurrying away with her pram. “We need to get ourselves organised.”
With shouted instructions the horses were returned to their stalls.
Ivy examined her image in the mirror from head to toe. She was wearing her black skirt with the big white buttons decorating one side and the matching white blouse with black buttons. She turned to check that the seams in her silk stockings were straight. The fashionable outfit would create the right impression for a visit to the home of Miss Ann Marie Gannon – she hoped.
“You look like something out of the films,” Jem said when she opened her door to his knock. They had each taken a quick swill to freshen up before changing their clothes. He was wearing his good grey suit and a blazingly white cotton shirt under his dark overcoat.
“You’re looking very dapper yourself, Mr Ryan.” He was a fine figure of a man and no doubting, she thought. “Give us a minute to put me hat on.”
He followed her over to stand at her shoulder in front of the mirror. Jem’s hat was a trilby while Ivy’s was a confection of black with trailing white feathers.
“Bejesus, Jem, the state of us and the price of best butter!” Ivy grinned, delighted with the image they portrayed.
“I’ll hold your coat.” He took her beige cashmere coat from its peg and stood holding it open while she slipped her arms into the sleeves. She stepped to the mirror to check her appearance.
“Come on, Missus.” Jem took her elbow in his hand and drew her towards the back door. “Ann Marie didn’t tell me who was going to be at this meeting.”
“I’m getting really fed up with people dipping their noses into our business.”
Ann Marie did a final visual check of her study. She dreaded thinking of Ivy’s reaction to the upcoming gathering. She examined the area she liked to think of as a meeting area. She had arranged three dark-green two-seater Chesterfield sofas with the fire on the fourth side. A glass-topped coffee table took centre place.
The sound of the doorbell rang through the house. She was ready. The room looked inviting and charming to her eyes. She hoped the first caller was Edward with good news.
“Mr O’Connor has come a-calling – again.” Sadie opened the door and stepped back to allow Edward enter. She closed the door at his back as he stepped into the room.
“Have I ever mentioned, Ann Marie, how fascinating I find your household staff?” Edward said with a laugh.
“No, I don’t believe you have.” Ann Marie fought a grin. She hurried over to press her cheeks against his in greeting.
“Emerald has elected to remain downstairs and lend a hand with the ‘babby’,” Edward said. “My daughter appears to have acquired a unique way of employing the English language.”
“She is a delight.” Ann Marie began to prepare a gin and tonic. She no longer needed to ask his preference. “How went the hunt this morning?” She hated to think of this man touring the places around Dublin that could have purchased a cadaver.
“We found her.” He needed that drink. The grisly appearance of a body preserved for the study of the human anatomy would stay with him for the rest of his days. The scientist who had purchased the cadaver had been reluctant to lose such an unusual study subject.
“Dear Lord,” she said, his words freezing her in her tracks for a moment. “You are sure?” With a deep breath she turned back to assemble their drinks. “How?”
“The embalming procedure used was excellent.” He crossed to stand at her shoulder. “I identified the body myself.” There was no need for him to mention the state of the body. When she turned and passed him the glass he rather rudely grabbed the drink from her hand and gulped the liquid. He needed it. “That man Armstrong you introduced me to is frighteningly efficient.”
Ann Marie had been helping Edward in the search for Mary Rose Donnelly’s body. Through her work at the hospital morgue Ann Marie had many useful contacts around the city. She had hoped it would be a simple matter to discover the person who had purchased the body. They had not discussed the matter with Ivy and Jem, not wanting to disappoint them if they should fail in their endeavours. They had spent weeks searching the Dublin area without success. Ann Marie had approached Betty Armstrong for advice. The woman was a mine of very useful information. She’d introduced them to her brother William. That man had
contacts in some very high places.
“I telephoned the Donnelly home from my club. I informed them of her death.” Edward, with Ann Marie’s prompting, hoped to prevent trouble from coming to the door of the people who had protected and cared for his child.
“That must have been difficult for you.” Ann Marie carried her own drink over to the Chesterfields by the fire. She sat in one and with a wave of her hand towards the sofa across from hers invited him to join her. She was unaware that the elegant copper-silk drop-waist dress she wore was complemented by the dark leather of the chair.
Edward sat. “At the time that I was informed of Emerald’s death . . .” He had to stop for a moment at the memory of that horror. He had a white-knuckled grip on the glass in his hand as he fought for control. “I’m sorry,” he pinched the bridge of his nose, “give me a moment, please.”
Ann Marie stared into the glowing flames of the fire, giving the strong man facing her a semblance of privacy to fight his overwhelming emotions.
“I was informed,” he continued when he again had control, “that Mary Rose Donnelly had taken the veil. Such was her horror at the loss of her niece that she had turned to God.” He intended to investigate the true happenings surrounding the deception practised on him – but that would have to wait.
“I don’t know what to say,” Ann Marie murmured.
“From reading the journals Jem Ryan gave to me it is obvious to me that Mary Rose Donnelly was an evil woman. I do not believe I’m being dramatic when I say that.”
Ann Marie agreed but didn’t say so aloud. Jem and Ivy had both told her of the condition little Emerald O’Connor had been in emotionally and physically when she’d arrived into their care.
“Do the family wish the body returned to them for burial?” Ann Marie asked.
“No.” Edward looked over at the woman who was coming to mean a great deal to him. She had stood beside him through this difficult time. “When I advised them that she had died in an accident over a year ago they stated they were content to leave her where she lay. They asked only that I furnish them with a death certificate.”
“Oh dear.” Ann Marie didn’t know what the legal situation would be after all this time.
“There is an inheritance involved apparently.” Edward shrugged. It had intrigued him to learn that the Bishop Troy who seemingly wrote the letter concerning Emerald’s sad demise had been enquiring after Mary Rose Donnelly. Apparently the woman had promised a large donation to the church funds. Sadly it seemed that Mary Rose Donnelly would not be mourned by her family.
“What on earth are we going to do?”
“No problem, my dear.” Edward shook his head at the memory. “Armstrong is also a member of my club. He was present when I made the call. I had an official death certificate in my hand in hours – cause of death ‘accidental’. I sent the document by registered post from the GPO.”
“My dear, you have been busy!” Ann Marie almost wilted on the sofa. She had only had that worry for weeks. Jem and Ivy had lived with the fear of discovery for over a year. “Is that really an end to my friends’ involvement in this matter?”
“I could not allow Jem Ryan to suffer for saving my daughter’s life.” Edward leaned forward, putting his empty glass on the table. “The man had a fortune in gold and jewels fall into his hands. Did you know that?”
“He mentioned something about ‘sparklies’,” Ann Marie said.
“Those ‘sparklies’ could set him up in a mansion and remove his need to work for the rest of his life.”
“I had no idea of the financial worth, I must admit.”
“I have the impression Ivy Murphy could tell you the worth down to the penny.” Edward smiled. He’d been impressed by Ivy and her knowledge of antiques. “None the less, both of them decided to secure a bank box and save everything for my daughter to use in the future. It is rare to meet one completely honest person let alone two. I simply could not allow them to be punished.”
“I’m very glad.”
They sat for a time in silence, both wondering what the future held for them. Lost in their thoughts, they waited for the rest of Ann Marie’s guests to arrive.
“My friend Ivy is not going to be happy at Armstrong’s presence here this evening,” Ann Marie said when the clock over the mantel chimed the time. “She’ll be here soon.”
“I understood the man to be her uncle?”
“It is a long story and not mine to tell.” As she spoke the doorbell sounded. “That will be Ivy and Jem now.”
“Stand up straight, Jem,” Ivy hissed while using her elbow to nudge him in the ribs. “You look like you have the worries of the world on your shoulders.” They were standing on top of the steps leading up to Ann Marie’s door. “You look like you’d be better off discussing a funeral instead of our wedding.”
“That’s how I feel,” Jem said. “I bet that fella O’Connor will be here. I can almost feel the noose around my neck every time I see the man.”
“You can’t show you’re nervous.” She knew they had to figure out a way of escaping from the trouble that was following them but it didn’t do to let the world and his mother know your business. “Put your chin up, Jem, and stick your chest out.” She nudged him again.
“But –”
“But me no buts, Jem Ryan – we are in this together.”
“Sorry, Missus.” He gently brushed his shoulder against hers. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Ivy.”
“If I have my way you’ll never have to find out.”
“Well, are you two going to stand out there until the cows come home?” Sadie Lawless stood in the open doorway, a smile on her face. Emmy stood at her side, grinning.
“Uncle Jem, Aunty Ivy, I’m helping mind the babby.” Emmy jumped into Jem’s open arms.
“I’m sure you’re a great help.” He stepped into the hallway with the child clinging to him like a monkey.
“I hope you have the kettle on, Sadie Lawless?” Ivy was removing her coat and hat and hanging them on the hallstand. She ignored Sadie’s muttered “Cheeky madam!” and took Emmy from Jem’s arms while he removed his hat and coat. “Well, Miss Emmy, did you have a fine time today with your father?”
“We had tea and cream cakes at Bewley’s,” Emmy said.
“Did you think to get me a cream cake?” She rubbed her nose against the little girl’s, trying not to think of the heartbreak in store. She’d miss this little one so, when her father took her away.
“I didn’t think!” Emmy slapped her two hands to her cheeks.
“It’s not a cream cake she’s needing.” Jem turned to join the women. “We are supposed to be meeting Ann Marie and some other people.”
“My papa is with Ann Marie in her study,” Emmy informed them importantly. “I don’t think there are any other people, are there, Mrs Lawless?”
“They haven’t arrived yet,” Sadie said. “Now hop down and come help me. Ivy wants tea – you can help me get it ready when she rings down for it.” She held out her hand to the little girl. “You two know the way.”
“Right.” Jem offered his arm to Ivy. She put her arm through his and they walked down the hallway towards Ann Marie’s study. Jem gave a quick rap of his knuckles against the door before pushing it open.
“Jem, Ivy, come on in.” Ann Marie stood. She picked up Edward’s empty glass. “Jem, may I offer you something to drink? I know there is no point offering Ivy anything but tea.” She grinned at her two friends, delighted with the news Edward was going to give them. “You two sit down over there. Edward has something to tell you.”
“Ann Marie and I have been busy over the last few weeks,” Edward said when they were sitting side by side on one of the Chesterfields. He went on to tell them about his handling of the situation regarding the woman they called ‘the aunt’.
“Jem!” Ivy collapsed against Jem’s side when Edward O’Connor told them what he had done. They were safe. Dear God, her Jem was safe.
&nbs
p; “I don’t know what to say.” Jem took the offered whiskey from Ann Marie with a visibly trembling hand. He gulped some of the liquid and passed the glass to Ivy, insisting she take a sip to settle her nerves. He hadn’t been expecting this news.
“I could not allow you to pay for my error in judgement.” Edward took Ann Marie’s hand when she sat by his side after placing their drinks on the table. He had spent these weeks mentally kicking himself. How had he ever imagined that Mary Rose Donnelly would be a suitable guardian to his only child? He wasn’t the first man to lose his wife to childbirth. What kind of parent was he that he’d taken to his heels at the first sign of adversity, leaving his child behind?
“I don’t know if I’m on my head or my heels.” Jem could feel the worry draining out of him. He could marry his Ivy now with no shadow over their heads.
“That will be Betty and William Armstrong,” Ann Marie said when the doorbell sounded through the house.
“Have yeh lost the run of yourself, Ann Marie?” Ivy yelped. “What are they doing here?”
Chapter 40
The Ha'Penny Place (Ivy Rose Series Book 3) Page 21
