by Dilly Court
‘My father wants to pay for the painting.’
‘Oh, no, Mr Norwood,’ Nettie said hastily. ‘My father wouldn’t hear of it. He wanted to give you something in return for your hospitality.’
Maurice laid the portrait down reverently as if it were a precious icon. ‘It’s too much, I always pay my way, Nettie.’
‘You’ll insult him if you offer money,’ Nettie said firmly. ‘We’re in a much better position now than previously, sir. My father is working on several commissions at a time, for which he’s being well paid.’
‘I’m very glad to hear it, but there must be something I can do in order to show my appreciation.’
‘Perhaps I can help.’ Rufus went to open the door in answer to a timid knock, and the maid bustled in, carrying a tea tray, laden with plates of dainty sandwiches, cakes and biscuits. ‘Thank you, Dora. That will be all.’
The maid placed the tray carefully on the table, and left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.
‘What can you do, son?’ Maurice asked, frowning.
‘I thought I’d spend a few days in London, Pa. I want to see Percy, and I thought I might look into the possibility of opening an office in the city.’
‘Whatever for? We do very well as we are.’
‘But we could sell further afield, Pa. We need to modernise and advertise our products. You’ve seen the posters and billboards that some companies produce – I’ve been thinking of working along those lines. We’re doing well, but we could do even better.’
Maurice stared at his son, open-mouthed. ‘But, Rufus, I spent a fortune on your education to make a gentleman of you. I didn’t think you were interested in the brewery.’
‘My time at Cambridge opened my eyes to a much bigger world, Pa. My education won’t be wasted, and I might not be interested in the brewing and bottling side of things, but the business of promoting the products, advertising and selling is what really excites me. Give me carte blanche and I could double or treble trade figures.’
‘I don’t know what to say. You’ve taken me by surprise.’ Maurice turned to Nettie. ‘You seem to get on well with my son – did he mention any of this to you?’
She shook her head. ‘No, sir. We never spoke about such things.’
‘Oh, well, I suppose it’s not the most romantic of subjects.’ Maurice pulled up a chair. ‘Come and sit down, my dear. Do please help yourself, and forgive our ramblings.’ He turned to his son. ‘We’ll speak of this later.’
‘Yes, and you’ll find I have a lot to say, but in the meantime I will see Nettie safely home. It’s the least I can do.’
‘Yes, of course you must.’
Nettie took a seat at the table and selected a sandwich. ‘There really is no need. I have my ticket and I can look after myself.’
‘Well, my dear, whatever you decide you must give your father my sincere thanks, and tell him how happy I am with the portrait. I hope to see him again very soon.’
Maurice was about to leave the room when his wife burst in, and she was smiling.
Nettie paused with the sandwich halfway to her lips. The pleasant expression transformed Mrs Norwood’s normally tight-lipped appearance, taking years off her age.
‘Jane? What is it?’ Maurice asked anxiously.
‘I’ve been talking to the child, Maury. She is an orphan and she has no one. Miss Carroll has shown her kindness, but it seems that she is alone in that.’
‘That’s very sad, my dear.’
‘It is, Maury.’ Jane took a deep breath. ‘I want to adopt Biddy. She can never take the place of our baby, but she is in desperate need of care and protection.’
Maurice steered his wife to a chair by the fire. ‘Are you sure about this, my love? It’s a big step and you hardly know the child.’
‘I know enough, Maury. She’s nine years old, and the most she can hope for is the workhouse, or some unscrupulous person might take her on as a skivvy, and she’ll be worked to death or die of starvation.’
‘It’s a big step, Jane. We need to talk this over.’
‘No, Maury. My mind is made up. We lost our daughter and now we have a chance to make another child happy. Please say you agree.’
Chapter Twenty-One
Nettie looked from one to the other, hardly daring to breathe. There was little she could do for Biddy, but if Mrs Norwood was sincere, and she had no reason to doubt this, then Biddy would have the best possible chance in life.
‘Very well,’ Maurice said, smiling. ‘You know that I can’t refuse you anything, my love. And I can see this means a great deal to you.’
Jane leaped to her feet and threw her arms around her husband’s neck. ‘Thank you, Maury. You’re a good man.’
‘We’ll give it a try at first, Jane. We’ll see how it works out before we do anything that cannot be undone, like adoption.’
‘It will be perfect,’ Jane said earnestly. ‘I know in my heart that it’s the right thing to do.’
‘We’ll give it a few months, maybe a year, and if the child settles well and is open to education and willing to learn how to behave, then we’ll adopt her legally. I can’t say any fairer than that.’
‘Have you asked Biddy what she wants, Mama?’ Rufus pulled up a chair for himself and sat next to Nettie at the table. ‘She might not want to live here.’
‘Why would she not?’ Jane demanded, once again on the defensive. ‘Of course I’ve spoken to her about it. I’m not completely stupid, Rufus, even if I haven’t had the advantage of a university education.’
‘I’m sorry, Mama. I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just that Biddy’s opinion is surely the one that counts. She’s been raised in the city and she knows nothing about country living.’
‘I’ve talked to her at length, and I’ve promised that she can attend the village school, where she’ll make friends of her own age. To be honest I think she’d sell her soul for good food, a clean bed and a little kindness. She will have all those things here with us, Rufus.’
‘I don’t doubt that, Mama.’ He picked up the teapot and filled two cups, handing one to Nettie. ‘It seems that it’s young Biddy’s lucky day, but no one has asked your opinion. What do you think, Nettie?’
‘I think, if Biddy is agreeable, that it would be a wonderful opportunity for her, in all ways. She’s a good girl, and she deserves a chance in life.’
‘Is there anyone I should contact regarding Biddy?’ Jane asked anxiously. ‘She said she was working for the condesa, but the woman had given her the sack. Is that correct?’
‘Yes, that’s what Biddy told me, and I don’t doubt her.’
‘Is the condesa she mentioned the same woman who was here for the hop picking?’
‘Yes, and I have to say that she took Biddy in out of pity. The poor child was left behind when the people who employed her moved on without making any provision for her. Biddy has been passed from hand to hand as if she had no feelings and no say in the matter.’
‘So there is nothing to stop us from having Biddy to live here?’
‘If she’s happy then so am I.’
‘What about her belongings? Could you send them to us?
‘I’m accompanying Nettie to London, Mama,’ Rufus said casually. ‘I could fetch them for you.’
‘That’s kind.’ Nettie met his earnest look with a smile. ‘But I doubt if she has anything worth salvaging.’
‘How shocking.’ Jane shook her head, sighing. ‘Our servants are much better treated.’
‘I’m sure they are,’ Nettie said earnestly. ‘But I’d like a word with Biddy before anything is settled, if you don’t mind.’
Jane gave her a curt nod. ‘I’ll see if she’s finished her meal, and I’ll send her to you.’ She hurried from the room.
Maurice was about to follow her, but he hesitated. ‘I enjoyed my time spent with your father, Nettie. I might visit London in the not-too-distant future, and I’d like to call on him.’
‘I’ll leave our addres
s for you, sir,’ Nettie said eagerly. ‘Pa would love to see you.’
‘If we do decide to open an office in London, I’ll visit quite often, and I’m sure that goes for Rufus, too.’ He hurried after his wife.
Nettie shot a sideways glance at Rufus, but he was looking thoughtful and showed no sign of having heard his father’s last remark. He pushed back his chair and stood up.
‘I’d better go and pack a bag. I’ve enjoyed being at home, but now I’m ready to spend time in town.’
‘Yes, of course.’ Nettie eyed him warily. ‘I’d invite you to stay with us, but we are cramped as it is, and Percy sleeps on the floor of Byron’s room. I’m afraid you would find it very uncomfortable.’
‘I’ll find somewhere to lay my head, so don’t worry on my account.’
He was gone and Nettie found herself alone in the morning parlour. It seemed a shame to waste the food that Cook had prepared and she ate the sandwiches, and was about to choose a cake when Biddy rushed into the room.
‘Look at me, Nettie. Mrs Norwood has found me this lovely dress. Someone had given it for the poor children in Africa, but it might have been made for me.’ Biddy did a twirl to demonstrate the blue merino dress with a starched white collar and a silk bow at the neck. She lifted her skirts just enough to reveal a red flannel petticoat and striped stockings worn with a pair of old, but serviceable boots.
‘You look very smart,’ Nettie said, smiling. ‘The dress and petticoat look like new.’
‘I know, and Mrs Norwood said she would get her dressmaker to measure me up for even more clothes, and Cook gave me a plate of mutton stew and a big slice of seed cake. I ate so much I thought I would burst.’
Nettie laughed. ‘That would be a tragedy.’ She was suddenly serious and she leaned forward to clutch Biddy’s hand. ‘Tell me truthfully, do you want to stay here with the Norwoods? If you have any doubts at all you must say so, and I’ll take you back to London today.’
‘You’re kind, Nettie. I like you, but I know you ain’t got the room for me.’
‘We would get around that if you didn’t want to accept the Norwoods’ offer. I want you to think very hard before you give an answer.’
Biddy folded her hands as if she were praying and closed her eyes. Nettie waited, knowing that to interrupt would be a mistake.
‘Yes,’ Biddy said at length. ‘I’d like to stay here and go to school. I can’t read nor write and I want to learn.’
‘If, by any chance, you change your mind, you must tell Mr Norwood or Mr Rufus. They will contact me and I’ll come and fetch you, but I doubt if that will happen. I think you’ll be very happy here.’
Biddy flung her arms around Nettie’s neck. ‘I’ll miss you, Nettie.’
‘And I’ll miss you, but you’ll have a good home now and kind people to love and care for you.’
Nettie looked up as the door opened and Rufus beckoned to her.
‘If you’re ready, I’ve had the trap brought round to the front door.’
Biddy clung to Nettie in a moment of panic, but Nettie stroked her head, murmuring endearments. ‘You can come and visit us, Biddy,’ she said gently.
‘You won’t forget me, will you?’
‘Of course not. Who could forget someone like you?’ Nettie kissed her cheek before disengaging Biddy’s clutching hands. ‘Now, I have to go, but I can see Dora in the hall. She has a kind face and I’m sure she will look after you, as will everyone else in Norwood Hall.’
Rufus took Biddy by the hand. ‘I’ll only be gone a few days, and if you’re not settled in when I return I promise to take you to Nettie in London. Does that sound about right?’
Biddy nodded. ‘Yes, sir.’
‘Good girl.’ Rufus beckoned to Dora. ‘I’m giving Biddy into your capable hands, Dora. I know you’ll help to look after her and keep her company if she feels homesick for London.’
Dora nodded and took Biddy by the hand. ‘Come with me, miss. The mistress is waiting for you in the drawing room, and your bedchamber is being made ready as we speak.’
‘I have me own room?’
‘Yes, of course. You’re a lucky girl and you’ll be treated like one of the family.’ Dora led Biddy into the hall and their voices faded as they headed towards the drawing room at the back of the house.
‘I hope she settles in well,’ Nettie said anxiously.
‘Don’t worry on that score.’ Rufus held the door open for her. ‘And if she isn’t happy I promise to bring her to you, but my mother is clearly besotted, and I think she’ll care for Biddy as if she were her own child. Anyway, we should leave before the weather closes in on us.’
Nettie was apprehensive as they set off together less than an hour later. She had said her goodbyes to Biddy and the Norwoods, and the prospect of travelling to London with Rufus was at once exciting and nerve-racking. Their brief acquaintance during the hop-picking season had ended after the shooting accident, and although she still felt responsible for his injuries he seemed to have put all that behind him. He took the reins and drove them to the railway station, leaving the pony and trap at the stables nearby. They waited a short time for the train and were lucky enough to get a compartment to themselves.
Nettie was suddenly and unaccountably shy, but after the first five minutes she relaxed and settled down to enjoy the journey. Rufus was totally at ease and he made her laugh with tales of his exploits at university with Percy. He admitted freely that he was not a top student, and what interested him now was building up his father’s business and making it even more successful. Nettie listened to his ideas for promoting sales, and she could see the sense in what he was proposing. He seemed to have thought it through, and she had no doubt that his enthusiasm and energy would ensure his success. The conversation turned to matters that concerned her deeply, and she found herself telling Rufus about Duke’s apparent change of heart and his determination to run a legitimate business. She described the work that her father was doing, and how he had applied himself to the task, putting his own artistic ambitions to one side.
Rufus listened intently, posing the occasional question. When she came to a halt he turned the conversation to Byron. It was done so smoothly that Nettie barely noticed a change in the tenor of his voice, but she sensed his resentment of her friendship with Byron.
‘You’re very fond of him, aren’t you?’
She looked up, startled by the personal nature of the question. ‘Of course. We’re like brother and sister. Anyway,’ she added hastily, ‘it’s Percy we need to worry about.’
‘How so?’
‘I don’t like telling tales, but I do think that Constance has treated him badly. I like Percy and I believe that he was sincere in his feelings for Constance, but I can’t say the same for her, especially now.’
‘I don’t understand. What has changed?’
‘I can’t prove it, but I believe she went away with Duke. He took her out to tea one afternoon and they didn’t return.’
‘Do you think she went willingly?’ Rufus eyed her thoughtfully. ‘I hardly know Constance, and I don’t know the extent of her feelings, but Percy was quite smitten. Do you think she was merely leading him on?’
Nettie shook her head. ‘Oh, no. Constance may be a bit spoiled and sometimes she can be selfish, but I thought she was genuinely in love with Percy and he with her. That’s why I can’t understand how she could go off with Duke.’
‘Percy has no money and it sounds as though Duke has plenty. Perhaps it was as simple as that?’
‘You make Constance sound calculating and mercenary. I can’t believe that of her.’
‘Your loyalty does you credit, but the only other explanation is that she was abducted against her will. Do you think Duke is capable of behaving in such a manner?’
‘I believe anything of Duke Dexter. He led my father astray, and he lied to Constance once. I think he would stop at nothing to get what he wants.’
Rufus leaned back in his seat, frown lines wrinkling his
brow. ‘What would he gain, though? Constance isn’t an heiress. She’s pretty enough, but Duke’s actions don’t make sense – unless he’s madly in love with the girl.’
‘I suppose that’s possible, but it does seem out of character. I never imagined that Duke could love anyone other than himself. He was charm itself to the condesa when he thought she owned the castle in Spain, but he disappeared quickly enough when he found out that was untrue.’
‘Then you must draw your own conclusions and, as you said before, they are married. He has done nothing wrong according to the law.’ He eyed her speculatively. ‘You don’t seem convinced.’
‘No. I can’t help worrying about her. Duke is devious and whatever his reasons for wanting to take Constance away from her friends, I don’t think she went willingly.’
‘Then you seem to have little choice.’
Nettie looked up, startled. ‘What do you mean?’
‘If Percy feels the same as you, then perhaps you ought to try and find Constance.’
‘You think we should chase after them?’
‘I suspect that’s exactly what Percy will do, and if you need my assistance you only have to ask.’
‘You would do that for your friend?’
‘Of course, and I suspect that you had already decided to go after them. You just needed to talk it over with someone who was not emotionally involved.’
‘You’re right, but first there is something even more important that has to be done.’
Rufus raised an eyebrow. ‘That sounds intriguing. Do you feel like confiding in me?’
‘No, I’m sorry. It’s a long-held secret and there’s only one other person, apart from Constance, who knows about it.’
‘Would that be Byron?’
‘Yes. How did you guess?’
‘It’s obvious that he’s in love with you, Nettie. Anyone could see that, although perhaps it comes as a surprise to you.’
‘I told you, Rufus – we’re old friends, that’s all there is to it.’
‘Really? I wouldn’t be too sure about that.’
