by Annie Groves
‘She likes you, Ellie,’ Cecily assured her warmly. ‘And indeed, why should she not do, for you really are the kindest person.’
Ellie’s face fell. ‘I do not think that either Connie or John would agree with you about that, Cecily,’ she couldn’t help revealing.
Cecily looked concerned. ‘Have you heard nothing from them yet?’
‘No!’
Ellie had admitted to their cousin that she was anxious at the lack of letters from her siblings, but she had not felt able to tell her why. Cecily was a dear, but Ellie knew that she was very much under the influence of her indomitable mother, and Ellie did not want Cecily innocently to inform Aunt Amelia that her nieces and nephew longed to return to their own home.
‘I dare say that they are too busy to think of writing to you, Ellie,’ Cecily told her sunnily.
Ellie made no reply. She had written to their Aunt Jepson three times asking her for news of the baby and had still heard nothing.
‘I am going to ask our aunt if Connie might be invited to the ball,’ Ellie informed her cousin. ‘She is sixteen now and old enough.’
‘Oh, Ellie, do you think that is wise, especially when, as you have told me, Mr Parkes is most anxious that everything should go well? Mama has said that Connie does not always behave as she should, and that our aunt is often distressed by her wilfulness.’
‘She might be high-spirited, but she has never been wilful,’ Ellie defended her sister, adding protectively, ‘I worry sometimes that our aunt and uncle’s household is not a very happy place for her to be. They are very religious and –’
‘Ellie, how can you say that?’ Cecily looked very shocked. ‘They have been generous to give Connie a home, after all.’
Ellie bit her lip, wishing she had remained silent. It was foolish of her to expect Cecily to understand how they all felt.
‘What time is Mr Parkes picking you up, Ellie? Only Iris telephoned this morning and when I told her you were to visit she made me promise that I would keep you here so that she could see you.’
Ellie’s face lit up. ‘Oh, yes, I would love that. Mr Parkes said that I was to telephone him when I am ready to leave.’
‘Ellie, how lovely! I have been looking forward to seeing you again,’ Iris exclaimed as she hugged Cecily and then Ellie herself.
‘Ellie has been so good. She has brought some baby clothes she has sewn for your charity, Iris,’ Cecily informed her sister-in-law as she poured her a cup of tea.
‘Oh, Ellie, how kind. And how clever of you,’ Iris enthused.
There was a tradition of philanthropy in Cecily’s husband’s family, and Ellie had been only too pleased to do something to help.
‘Oh, but these are exquisite,’ Iris encouraged, when she had looked at the small garments. ‘I dare say if Mother’s friends saw these they would all be begging you to sew for them. You could quite easily establish yourself in a little business, I am sure. Not that you need to, I realise,’ Iris was quick to add, ‘but you know how I feel about women having some financial independence. I have not given up on persuading you both to attend a women’s movement meeting with me.’
The three of them talked happily together for a further half-hour, and Ellie listened eagerly whilst Iris regaled them with a droll story of her experiences as a doctor.
Ellie had never met a woman like Iris before, and greatly admired her. She was so strong and independent, and seemed to care not one jot for the fact that at twenty-six she was neither engaged nor married.
‘…And, of course, Ewan is such a stick in the mud,’ Iris was saying.
Ewan Cameron was a close friend of Cecily’s husband, Paul, and Cecily had confided to Ellie that Paul very much hoped that his sister and his friend would marry.
‘I have borrowed Father’s car, since he and Mother are in London, and I have to drive out to Hoylake to see a friend when I leave here, Ellie, so why don’t I take you home?’ Iris suggested.
‘Oh, but Mr Parkes always collects Ellie. All she needs to do is to telephone him and he will drive over to collect her immediately,’ Cecily broke in. ‘Mr Parkes practically dotes on her, doesn’t he, Ellie? Mama says that you have been very fortunate.’
‘Indeed?’ There was a crispness in Iris’s voice that surprised Ellie. ‘Well, on this occasion there is no need for Ellie to bother Mr Parkes, since I am to drive to Hoylake anyway.’
Iris had a way of saying things that made it impossible to argue with her, Ellie acknowledged. Not that she minded being driven by her in the least. Thanks to Iris she had laughed more this afternoon than she could remember doing in a long time. Even the air in the sitting room felt different with Iris in it: almost crackling with energy and enthusiasm.
‘You know, Ellie, you really should learn to drive yourself,’ Iris announced as she turned into the road that led to Ellie’s aunt and uncle’s house.
‘Oh, I don’t think my aunt and uncle –’ Ellie began, but Iris stopped her.
‘I could teach you. In fact, I would enjoy doing so. I love Cecily,’ she added, ‘and she is the perfect wife for Paul, but,’ she paused and gave Ellie a wry look, ‘but she is still very much beneath her formidable mama’s influence. Whilst in you, Ellie, I detect a certain independence of spirit! You must always be true to yourself, Ellie. That is the most important thing that we, as modern women, can do. We owe it to our mothers and to our daughters,’ she added solemnly, expertly bringing the large car to a halt.
After they had exchanged goodbyes, Ellie hurried into the house. Cecily had promised to telephone their uncle to advise him that Ellie was on her way home, and Ellie could see that there was a light on in his study.
Lizzie was waiting for her in the hall, and as Ellie handed her her coat she told her, ‘I must just go up to my aunt’s room and see how she is. I do wish something could be done about these headaches she has, Lizzie. I –’
‘The master said that he wanted to see you the minute you returned, miss,’ Lizzie stopped her, woodenly.
A closeness had developed between Ellie and her maid, and Ellie often found herself confiding things to Lizzie that she would normally have told only a sister or close friend. Lizzie knew all about Ellie’s concern for her younger sister and her aunt, and now there was a look in Lizzie’s eyes that sent a quiver of apprehension down Ellie’s spine. Had her aunt’s health taken a turn for the worse?
Worriedly, Ellie knocked on the study door and then opened it.
As always the room smelled strongly of her uncle’s cigars, and, indeed, a cloud of smoke enveloped the desk, obscuring his expression.
‘Lizzie said that you wanted to see me, Uncle,’ Ellie began anxiously. ‘Is my aunt –’
‘Why did you not do as I instructed? Who brought you back to Hoylake? What is his name?’
Completely bemused, Ellie stared at her uncle. ‘I…I…’ Ellie gave a small gasp of shock as her uncle stood up and strode towards her. She had never seen him looking so angry, and instinctively she stepped back from him.
‘Oh, no you don’t.’ His hand shot out and grasped Ellie’s wrist in a bruising hold.
Ellie could feel the frantic racing of her heart. What had happened to the kind, attentive uncle she was used to? This angrily violent man who had taken his place was frightening her.
‘Well, miss?’
The sharp tug her uncle gave her wrist as he shook her made Ellie cry out in pain.
‘Why did you not do as I instructed you?’
The pain in her wrist was making Ellie’s eyes smart with fear.
‘I…we didn’t think you would mind. Iris had to drive to Hoylake anyway, and I didn’t want to offend her by refusing. Her mama has been so kind, helping me with everything for the ball…’ Ellie could not bring herself to look into her uncle’s face. She could feel the sulphurous heat of anger through the thick silence.
‘Iris? It was Iris who drove you here?’
‘Yes, in her papa’s car,’ Ellie managed to whisper past the nervously c
onstricted muscles of her throat.
To her disbelief, Mr Parkes started to smile, his anger evaporating as though it had never been.
‘Well, I must say that I am surprised that her father should allow her to drive at all, and I am angry with you, Ellie, that you did not obey my wishes. However, I can understand that you would not wish to offend your cousin’s family. However, on another occasion I must insist that you do as I tell you.’
His voice had become almost jovial now, and the fingers holding her wrist had slacked their grip, much to Ellie’s relief. She could still feel the burn of pain in her tender flesh, though, and now that Mr Parkes’ anger had subsided rather like a violent summer storm, Ellie felt so weak that her whole body trembled.
‘Poor Ellie, I am sorry if I have distressed you,’ her uncle said. ‘Why, you are trembling,’ he added softly, taking a step towards her and, to Ellie’s shock, lifting her wrist to his mouth so that he could kiss the bruised flesh. ‘There,’ he told her softly. ‘That should make your poor wrist feel better.’
Ellie’s face burned as much as her wrist. Her body was shuddering violently with revulsion and disbelief, but her uncle seemed to be unaware of her distress, because he was smiling widely at her, his eyes glittering with a look that Ellie instinctively denied to herself she had seen.
‘I have some business to attend to now, Ellie, but this evening after dinner you may tell me what progress you are making with our little venture! Which reminds me – you are a good girl, Ellie, and I think you deserve a small reward. What would you like, eh, my dear? Some pretty little trinket to show off to your cousin? Young ladies always like jewellery, don’t they?’
Ellie had to swallow hard on the sick feeling that was clogging her throat. There was a favour she wanted to ask her uncle, she reminded herself, although her stomach churned miserably at the thought of having to do so.
‘I…it is very kind of you to be so generous, Uncle,’ she managed to say shakily. ‘But more than anything else I would like it if Connie could be invited to the ball.’
There was a small silence before her uncle said, ‘But of course she may come. Indeed, I do not know why I did not think of inviting her myself. Now I shall have the pleasure of enjoying the company of two beautiful nieces.’
In the kitchen Lizzie waited anxiously for Ellie to ring for her.
‘What’s up with you?’ Mrs Foster, the cook, asked her irritably. ‘You’ve done nowt but pace this room for the last half an hour.’
‘It’s Miss Ellie,’ Lizzie answered her, without taking her eyes off the row of bells on the far wall, even though she knew perfectly well she could hear each individual ring from yards away. ‘He wanted to see her “the moment she returns”.’ She mimicked her employer’s sharp voice. Lizzie’s mouth compressed. ‘I’m worried about her. After all, it’s no secret how he treats the mistress, even if Wrotham thinks that none of us knows.’
‘That’s enough of that,’ Mrs Foster reproved her. ‘Talking about your betters like that is going to head you into trouble one day, my girl.’
Lizzie gave an impatient snort. ‘It’s not as though we don’t all know what he’s like,’ she protested. ‘I thank the Lord He made me plain every time I look at him, I swear it! And just as soon as I can afford it I’m leaving here. There’s many a time I’ve wanted to warn Miss Ellie to watch out for him.’
‘Don’t you be doing any such thing,’ the cook retorted. ‘Like as not she’d never believe you, and if she went telling him what you’d been saying…’
But Lizzie wasn’t listening. Ellie should have rung for her ages ago. It was almost time for the dinner bell.
‘I blame the mistress,’ she announced fiercely. ‘She should never have left Miss Ellie on her own with the master.’
Mrs Foster gave a small tut of disapproval. ‘The mistress is afeared of him herself! And sickly too. Always ailing…!’
‘Aye, well, I suppose it’s one way to keep him out of her bed,’ Lizzie replied bluntly, exhaling in relief as Ellie’s bell suddenly started to ring.
SEVENTEEN
‘Oh, Ellie, I do hope that everything goes well tonight. Your uncle will be so angry if it doesn’t. He’s invited everyone of consequence on the Wirral to this ball, and has clients coming from all over the area. If anything should go wrong…’
‘Nothing will go wrong,’ Ellie assured her aunt. ‘Aunt, are you all right?’ she asked in some concern as her aunt suddenly swayed slightly towards her. Ellie reached out gently to steady her. Aunt Lavinia looked pale and not a little unwell, her face slightly puffy, and Ellie stiffened as the cuff of her aunt’s sleeve fell back, revealing a livid bruise.
A feeling like icy water dripping down her spine froze Ellie’s body. Immediately in her mind’s eye she had an image of her uncle, his face puce with anger, his arm raised. A savage shudder brought her out of her trance as she fought against a knowledge she didn’t want to have.
Her aunt’s nervousness, the headaches that kept her to her room with Wrotham beside her, the falls that left her bruised – were they because Mr Parkes…Panicking, Ellie thrust her thoughts away from her.
Apart from that one incident, her uncle had shown her nothing but kindness and generosity, Ellie reminded herself. And he had gone to a great deal of trouble on her behalf to make sure that Connie could attend the party. She was surely being over-imaginative, letting her fears take control of her.
‘I have had some of my tonic,’ her aunt was informing her, ‘and I should be feeling much better directly.’
Pulling herself together, Ellie asked, ‘Would you like to inspect everything, Aunt, just in case I have overlooked something?’ She gently took hold of Lavinia’s arm to steady her discreetly.
‘No, my dear, I have every faith in you, but I wish my sister Amelia would arrive. Mr Parkes will be so cross if they are late.’
Ellie’s heart jerked against her ribs. She looked away, not wanting to see what she feared would be in her aunt’s eyes. Besides, she was every bit as eager for her Aunt and Uncle Gibson to arrive as her aunt was, but for a very different reason. They were bringing Connie with them!
Ellie couldn’t wait to see her sister. There had initially been some doubt as to whether Connie would be permitted to attend the ball, as a punishment for some bad behaviour, but Mr Parkes had prevailed on Uncle Simpkins, who had eventually given his permission.
A pretty evening dress had been ordered for Connie from their Aunt Lavinia’s own dressmaker, and Ellie had chosen the fabric and trimmings herself. She couldn’t wait to see her sister’s face when she saw it.
Aunt and Uncle Gibson had been invited to stay overnight and to attend the lavish dinner party that was to be held for the more favoured guests before the ball.
‘At least you will have the opportunity to meet some suitable young men this evening, Ellie,’ her aunt was saying. ‘We don’t want you to end up like that poor sister of Paul’s – almost thirty and still unmarried.’
‘I do not believe that Iris wants to find a husband,’ Ellie informed her.
‘Not want to be married? That’s impossible!’ Aunt Lavinia declared. ‘Every woman wants to be married! After all, what else is there for her to do? I feel sorry for her poor mother! How can she face her friends when her daughter cannot find a husband? And as for her not wanting to marry – a very odd creature she must be indeed if that were to be true!’
Ellie wanted to defend Iris but before she could say anything more, an excited bustle of noise informed them that the Gibsons had arrived.
‘And you have this room all to yourself?’ Connie demanded enviously when she had finished exploring Ellie’s bedroom and bathroom.
At Lizzie’s suggestion, the two sisters were to share Ellie’s room for the brief duration of Connie’s visit. ‘It will be company for you, miss, and a good chance to catch up with your sister’s news.’
Aunt and Uncle Gibson had not brought Cecily’s younger sister, Kitty, with them as she was deemed too
young for such a formal affair, but Cecily and Paul were to attend the ball, and Ellie was looking forward to having her cousin’s support and company.
For all her excitement, there was a cagey, wary look in Connie’s eyes, and she had deliberately stepped back earlier when Ellie had rushed to hug her in greeting. It was plain to Ellie that Connie had still not forgiven her and, in an attempt to win her round, she cajoled, ‘Connie, come and look at the gown our aunt has got for you. I chose the colour myself, and the trimmings.’
The eager excitement on Connie’s face banished her earlier look as she rushed to the dressing room where Lizzie had already laid out their gowns.
As unmarried young women it was expected that they would wear white gowns, but Ellie had cleverly chosen the softest of topaz-gold underslips for Connie, knowing that the colour would accentuate her sister’s warm colouring and golden eyes. The gown was embellished with topaz-gold ribbons. Pretty velvet slippers had been dyed exactly the same colour and Ellie had patiently embroidered a small velvet evening bag in the same fabric. For Connie’s blonde hair she had ordered creamy flowers with gold stamens. Indeed, Ellie had spent far more time planning her sister’s outfit than she had her own.
Her own dress was underlined with a soft, warm blue to echo the colour of her eyes, but she had had less ornamentation added to it, preferring a plainer look.
‘This is my dress?’ Eyes shining, Connie whirled round to look at Ellie. ‘It is much, much prettier than yours,’ Connie crowed unabashed, as she studied her sister’s gown. ‘I shall outshine you tonight, and our Uncle Parkes will wish that I was the one he had asked to come and live here. I shall have every dance on my card filled,’ Connie exulted, twirling round the room as though in the arms of a young man. ‘Yes, I shall definitely cast you completely into the shade, Ellie,’ she boasted.
