Читать книгу The Christmas Card: The perfect heartwarming novel for Christmas from the Sunday Times bestseller - Dilly Court, Dilly Court - Страница 8

‘I said that there was to be no tree this year.’ Mrs Dearborn rose to her feet allowing Flora’s note to drift to the floor. ‘You spoil her, Rory. She doesn’t deserve such attention.’

Alice stood aside, mindful of her lowly position in the household, but she was curious to see the uncle whom Flora seemed to worship. The tree reached almost to the ceiling and the scent of pine filled the room as Rory manoeuvred it with some difficulty towards the window. He leaned it against the wall and stood back, brushing spiky green needles off his well-cut pin-stripe jacket. He turned to his sister-in-law with a disarming smile.

‘I’m sure you don’t mean that, Lydia.’ He bent down to lift Flora in his arms, placing a smacking kiss on her cheek before setting her back on her feet. ‘Have you been a bad girl again, Floss?’

‘No, of course not, Uncle Rory.’ Flora gazed up at him adoringly.

He was, Alice thought, undeniably handsome, and he had smiling brown eyes. She could see why he must appear like a Greek god to a lonely little girl.

‘Don’t pander to her,’ Lydia Dearborn said sharply. ‘Anyway, you started this particular bout of bad behaviour by listening to the ranting of that drunken woman my husband was forced to dismiss. Now the child thinks she has another family living in Spitalfields, of all places.’

Flora grasped Rory’s hand, holding it to her cheek. ‘Tell her, Uncle Rory. You believe me, don’t you?’

‘It’s time Miss Radcliffe took you back to the nursery, Flora.’ Lydia sank down on her chair as if exhausted by the conversation. ‘Run along now.’

‘Miss Radcliffe?’ Rory turned to Alice with an appraising look. ‘You’re new here.’

Alice inclined her head. ‘Yes, sir.’

‘She’s my friend, Uncle Rory,’ Alice said stoutly. ‘I like her.’

‘Do you indeed?’ Rory met Alice’s steady gaze with a smile. ‘How do you do, Miss Radcliffe? It’s a pleasure to meet any friend of Flora’s.’

‘How do you do, sir?’ Alice felt her cheeks redden. The teasing look in his dark eyes made her feel ill at ease and she was not sure how she was supposed to respond. In the close confines of her home and subject to her father’s strict upbringing she had had little contact with the outside world, let alone the opposite sex. But she was no longer Miss Radcliffe of Doughty Street, she was now a servant, and she was not sure what was expected of her. One look at her employer confirmed her suspicion that Flora’s uncle had overstepped the boundary set by his sister-in-law. Mrs Dearborn was visibly bristling.

‘Take Miss Flora back to the nursery, Radcliffe.’ Lydia’s voice was harsh and uncompromising.

‘You’ll come up and see me later, won’t you, Uncle Rory?’ Flora pleaded. ‘Promise.’

He ruffled her hair. ‘Of course I will, Floss.’ He turned to Alice, holding out his hand. ‘As I said, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Radcliffe.’

For a moment Alice was tempted to shake hands, but she could feel Lydia’s eyes boring into her back and she bobbed a curtsey. ‘Thank you, sir,’ she said meekly.

‘Her name is Alice,’ Flora said impatiently. ‘She doesn’t like being called Miss Radcliffe.’

‘That’s enough, Flora. Little girls should be seen and not heard.’ Lydia’s frown deepened. ‘Remember what I said would happen if you continued to misbehave.’

Flora shot a sideways glance at her mother. ‘I will be good, Mama. Please let us keep the tree.’

Rory bent down to pick up Flora’s note. ‘This must be yours, Floss. I can tell by the blots.’ He examined it closer. ‘This is very good, but I don’t think it’s all your own work.’ He held it out of reach as Flora tried to snatch it from his hand. ‘Tell the truth now.’

‘Miss Radcliffe did the mistletoe, but I did all the rest.’

‘You’re quite an artist, Miss Radcliffe,’ he said, studying the drawing more closely. ‘This shows talent.’

‘Alice did most of it, sir. I only did the last little bit.’

‘Well, we all need a little mistletoe in our lives, especially at Christmas.’ He dropped a kiss on Flora’s curls and handed her the note. ‘I believe this belongs to your mama, Floss. Perhaps if you give it to her again she will relent.’ He turned to his sister-in-law with a persuasive grin. ‘It is the season of goodwill to all men, and that includes naughty children, don’t you think, Lydia?’

She shrugged her shoulders. ‘You are just like your brother. You give in too easily, Rory.’ She reached out to take the piece of paper from Flora. ‘All right, you may have the tree, but you will have to be very good if you want to receive a present.’

‘Yes, Mama.’ Flora ran to the door and opened it. ‘Come along, Miss Radcliffe. I’m waiting.’

Rory kept his word and spent half an hour in the nursery before taking his leave, and Alice decided to leave them to enjoy each other’s company. She went to find Mrs Upton, who directed her to the sewing room where she was able to take off her torn gown and repair the ripped seam. Rory had departed by the time Alice returned, but Flora was in high spirits and the rest of the day passed without any further incidents.

There did not seem to be any set hour when Alice was supposed to finish, but she waited until after supper when Flora was tucked up in her bed. She read her a story from a book that was so well used it was falling apart, and kissed her good night.

‘Won’t you stay, please?’ Flora whispered. ‘Smithson used to sleep in the next room, although it was no use calling out to her in the night because she wouldn’t wake up.’

‘I have to go home to see that my mother is all right,’ Alice said softly. ‘But I’ll be here first thing in the morning. Perhaps we’ll go outside and play snowballs, and roast chestnuts in the fire.’

Flora raised herself to lean on her elbow. ‘Will we really?’

‘I don’t see why not. I’ll make sure I have a stout pair of boots and warm clothes. It will be fun.’ She could tell by Flora’s baffled expression that the child had little idea of what constituted fun, but she would learn. ‘And it will be Christmas Eve, so perhaps your mother will allow us to decorate the tree?’

Flora grabbed her hand and kissed it. ‘You are my best present ever, Alice. I love you.’

Alice gave her a hug. ‘You and I will do very well together, Flora Dearborn. Now I have to leave, but if you close your eyes and go to sleep it will soon be morning and I’ll return. Good night, my dear.’

Snippet opened the door and Alice could tell by her expression that all was not well. She stamped her booted feet on the top step, shaking off the frozen lumps of snow before entering the house. ‘What’s the matter, Clara?’

‘She likes her dinner on time, miss.’ Clara glanced at the mahogany drop dial wall clock. ‘She don’t like to be kept waiting.’

Alice removed her bonnet and mantle, handing the snow-caked garments to Clara. The chill in the house struck her like a blow; it was, she thought, warmer outside than it was indoors. ‘I didn’t think they’d wait for me,’ she said in a low voice.

Clara nodded sagely. ‘She wouldn’t have, miss. Not under normal circumstances, like, but he come to see her today, and Cook thinks there’s more to it than meets the eye.’ Clara winked and tapped the side of her nose. ‘If you get my meaning, miss.’

‘No, I’m afraid I don’t. Who else is here?’

‘Snippet. Get back to the kitchen and tell Mrs Jugg to serve dinner immediately.’ Jane’s strident tones reverberated around the entrance hall. Clara turned and ran, her small feet pitter-pattering on the bare boards as she headed for the green baize door.

‘You’re late, Alice. Punctuality is the politeness of princes.’ Jane hovered in the dining-room doorway, putting Alice in mind of a bird of ill omen in her black dress with her shawl flapping in the draught like the wings of a carrion crow. ‘Come and take your seat at table.’

To Alice’s surprise the dining room looked almost festive, or at least it was a little less austere than the previous day. The table was laid with a white damask cloth and the best crystal glasses glistened in the candlelight. A bowl of holly added a festive touch and the fire had been banked up with extra coal, although it barely raised the temperature enough to prevent Alice’s teeth from chattering. She experienced a feeling of relief when she saw her mother seated by the fire, but before she had a chance to speak to her she was accosted by her aunt. Jane grabbed her by the arm, twisting her round to face the fourth person in the room as he emerged from the shadows.

‘Alice, I want you to meet my cousin, Horace Hubble.’

The resemblance between Jane and the gentleman who stepped forward was striking. He was taller than his cousin, and his dark hair was greying, as were his mutton chop whiskers and drooping walrus moustache. He held out his hand but the smile on his lips did not reach his eyes. ‘I’m delighted to meet you at last, Miss Radcliffe. I’ve heard so much about you.’

‘Really? I’m afraid I don’t know anything about you, sir.’ His handshake was limp and his palm moist. Alice withdrew hers quickly, hoping that he did not notice the shudder that ran through her at his touch.

‘Cousin Jane,’ he said, stretching his wide lips into a rictus grin, ‘I thought better of you. You leave me at a disadvantage.’

‘Stuff and nonsense.’ Jane strode to the head of the table. ‘Take your seats, everyone. We are very late dining.’ She shot a reproachful glance in Alice’s direction.

Horace moved swiftly to pull out Jane’s chair. ‘You really ought to employ more servants, Cousin.’

Jane sat down and rang the bell. ‘Snippet does well enough. I don’t approve of wasting money on underlings to eat my food and cost me money.’

Alice helped her mother to take her seat at the table. ‘How are you feeling this evening, Mama?’

‘Quite well, thank you, my darling. Jane has kept me fully employed today, which took my mind off my ailments, and the sorry position in which we find ourselves.’

‘Self-pity is a waste of time,’ Jane said severely. ‘There’s nothing wrong with you, Beth. It’s all in your silly head.’

‘Really, Aunt,’ Alice protested. ‘That’s not fair. Mama has always been delicate.’

‘Sit down, Alice. You too, Horace. I can’t do with people hovering.’ Jane rang the bell again. ‘Where is that idle child?’

‘Perhaps I ought to go and help?’ Alice suggested tentatively. ‘She’s quite small to carry heavy dishes up from the kitchen.’

‘People from her walk of life are born with the strength of oxen,’ Jane said dismissively. ‘That’s why they dig roads and plough the soil. We were put on earth to guide them and to help them control their base instincts. The child has to learn.’

The crash of breaking china was followed by a loud howl. Alice hurried to the door and opened it to find Clara on her knees amidst shards of broken crockery. She raised her to her feet. ‘There, there, don’t cry, Clara. It was an accident.’

‘I’ve broke the best plates. I’ll get a beating when Mrs Jugg finds out what I done.’

‘No one will harm you; I’ll see to that.’ Alice patted her on the shoulder. ‘Go and fetch a shovel and a brush and clear up the mess.’

‘But the dinner, miss. I’m supposed to fetch it.’

‘Leave that to me.’ Alice stepped back into the dining room. ‘Mr Hubble, would you care to assist me?’

His look of surprise was quickly replaced by a smug smile and he rose swiftly to his feet. ‘Of course, Miss Radcliffe. Anything you say.’ He was at her side in seconds, smiling down at her and exposing long, yellow teeth that put her in mind of a pony she had ridden as a child. It had not been a gentle animal and had taken every opportunity to give her a savage nip; it was not a pleasant memory.

‘There has been a mishap,’ she said, closing the door so that her aunt could not hear. ‘I’m going below stairs to fetch the food and it would help to have someone like you to assist me.’ She could see that he was shocked by such a suggestion. ‘You did say that Aunt Jane ought to employ more staff. Perhaps this will convince her.’

He fingered his cravat, clearing his throat nervously. ‘This is highly irregular, Miss Radcliffe. Below stairs is the servants’ domain.’

‘And at present there is only the cook, and a young girl who is terrified that she will be beaten for her clumsiness. I think dinner will be delayed a lot longer if we simply sit and wait for it to arrive.’ She walked off without waiting for his answer, and had just reached the baize door when he caught up with her.

‘You’re right, of course. You are a very wise young lady.’ He held the door for her. ‘And I look forward to furthering our acquaintance.’

‘Yes, indeed,’ she said vaguely as she hurried down the narrow staircase.

Cook stared at them in amazement. ‘Oh my Lord, whatever next? The silly girl told me that she’s dropped the plates, and she’ll be punished severely.’

‘It’s all right, Mrs Jugg,’ Alice said calmly. ‘It was an accident and no one blames Clara. She is going to clear up the broken china and we will take the food upstairs.’

‘Oh, no, miss. That’s not right at all. And you, sir, what must you think of us?’ Mrs Jugg glanced anxiously at Horace as if expecting the worst.

Alice picked up the soup tureen and passed it to Horace. ‘Mr Hubble is in complete agreement with me.’

His sickly smile was unconvincing, but he nodded his head. ‘Just this once.’

Alice went to the dresser and selected four soup bowls. She picked up a basket of bread rolls. ‘Tell Clara not to worry, Mrs Jugg. It could have happened to anyone.’

Cook’s lips worked soundlessly as Clara rushed in from the scullery armed with a brush and coal shovel. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she breathed. ‘Ever so sorry.’

Alice stood back to allow her to race on ahead. ‘She’s a good girl,’ she said firmly. ‘Nothing more will be said, Mrs Jugg. And the soup smells delicious.’

‘There’s roast beef to follow. The mistress always puts on a show for her cousin. He’s her only living relative, apart from you, of course, Miss Alice.’

Alice knew that, but it did not explain the extravagance of the hospitality, or her aunt’s desire for them to meet. She hurried after Horace and arrived in the dining room as he was about to place the tureen on the table.

Jane stared at them both, aghast. ‘Horace, what do you think you’re doing? And you, Alice, you should know better.’

‘There was a slight mishap due to that clumsy young maidservant, but I could not bear to think of you waiting a moment longer for such an excellent repast,’ Horace said, taking the credit for the idea even though he had been against it at the start. ‘Miss Radcliffe was kind enough to assist me.’

‘I’ve a good mind to send Snippet back to the workhouse. One takes these people in for the most Christian reasons and they invariably fail in their duties.’

Horace lifted the lid and was about to begin serving the soup when Jane held up her hand.

‘We haven’t yet said grace.’ She launched into a much shortened version of the prayer. ‘I don’t know why I burden myself with these charity cases. They always let one down,’ she added at the end.

‘Your acts of generosity to the poor are well known, Cousin,’ Horace said, ladling soup into a bowl and placing it in front of her. ‘The world would be a happier place were there more people like you.’

Jane smile modestly. ‘You’re too kind, Horace. Do sit down and enjoy your meal.’ She clicked her fingers at Alice. ‘You may finish serving the soup, and after dinner you will go down to the kitchen and tell Snippet that unless she pulls herself together she will spend Christmas in the workhouse.’

‘That seems a little harsh, sister-in-law,’ Beth said timidly. ‘The child is very young and she will learn.’

Alice filled a bowl with soup and passed it to her mother with a grateful smile. She knew how much courage it would have taken to enable her to speak up for Clara. ‘I agree with Mama,’ she said stoutly. ‘Snippet is eager to improve.’

Jane’s brows drew together in an ominous frown, but Horace beamed at Alice. ‘Well said, Miss Radcliffe.’ He used his table napkin to mop up the soup as it dripped from his moustache. ‘You have inherited my cousin’s charitable nature.’ He shot a sideways glance at Jane, who snatched up a bread roll and tore it into tiny pieces, popping one into her mouth and grinding it with her teeth.

Alice repressed a shudder as one of Flora’s nightmare sketches flashed before her eyes. Jane was suddenly the wicked witch about to eat Hansel and Gretel. She blinked hard and found Horace staring at her with a bemused expression. She managed a weak smile. ‘The soup is delicious.’

Jane curled her lip. ‘This will be our festive repast. I spend Christmas Day attending church services. You would do well to come with me, Alice.’

‘I would, of course,’ Alice said quickly, ‘but I’m afraid I have to work. Mrs Dearborn has not given me the day off.’ It was not exactly a lie, nor was it the complete truth. In fact, nothing had been mentioned by the lady of the house, but Flora wanted her to be there, and even on such a short acquaintance her welfare had become important to Alice.

‘Really?’ Beth’s eyes were moist with unshed tears. ‘Must you, Alice? Surely everyone deserves to spend the day with their family?’

‘You’re invited too, Mama,’ Alice said in desperation. ‘Miss Flora will be glad of the company. The poor child spends most of her time alone in the nursery.’

‘I’m proud to belong to such a caring family,’ Horace said, clasping his hands as if in prayer. ‘Although I was hoping that perhaps I might be invited to spend Christmas Day here with my only living relatives.’

Alice held her breath, praying that Aunt Jane would not weaken, and she could have cried with relief when her aunt shook her head. ‘You have friends who will make you welcome, Horace. You’re always telling me how popular you are.’

‘Well, yes, indeed, but …’

‘No buts, Cousin. I’m sure you will find somewhere to go, but it won’t be here. I will be in church or helping the poor and needy, as is my wont.’

Horace mumbled something into his beard.

‘What did you say, Cousin?’

He gave her a sheepish grin. ‘I said you are a saint, Cousin Jane.’

She beamed at him. ‘Oh, no. That I am not, but I’m glad that Alice is taking her work seriously, and Beth can spend the day in bed if she so chooses.’ She pushed her plate away. ‘Alice, you may ring the bell, and if that stupid child doesn’t appear within minutes you will go below stairs and tell her to pack her bags.’

Snippet saved herself by arriving promptly, if a little dishevelled and out of breath, but she managed to clear the table without dropping anything and delivered the main course without further mishap. The roast beef was a bit tough, the potatoes not quite cooked through and the cabbage a little watery, but Horace ate ravenously and Jane cleared her plate. Alice had already eaten well that day and she only ate a small amount, and her mother, as usual, picked at her food, but there was apple pie to follow and that was delicious. The custard was thick and creamy and everyone did justice to the dessert, but the moment she had finished her meal Jane rose to her feet and announced that the evening must come to an end.

Horace stared at her. ‘But it is early as yet, Cousin. Might we not sit for a while and allow our meal to digest?’

‘There is nothing wrong with my digestion, Horace, and you have a long walk to your rooms in West Smithfield. Unless, of course, you intend to take a cab.’

‘That costs money, my dear cousin, and as you know my finances leave much to be desired.’

‘And that is because your father was a gambler and risked his fortune on unwise investments. My own dear Robert was a prudent man. He strived hard to provide for us in our old age.’

‘And he worked himself to death, Cousin.’ Horace’s moustache quivered with suppressed emotion. Alice could not be sure whether it was grief or indignation, but he was obviously moved.

‘Robert did not work himself to death. He caught lung fever when visiting the docks, and that was what took him to an early grave.’ Jane produced a hanky and dabbed her eyes. ‘I was widowed at the age of thirty-five and my heart is interred with my beloved husband.’

Horace rose to his feet. ‘We all share your sorrow, Cousin.’ He turned to Alice with a wolfish smile. ‘Will you see me out, Miss Radcliffe? Or may I call you Alice?’

‘I will see you out.’ Jane stood up, brushing crumbs from her skirt. ‘It’s not proper for a young unmarried woman to be alone in the company of an eligible gentleman. You know that as well as I do, Horace.’

He bowed, clicking his heels together. ‘You are right as always, Cousin Jane. Please forgive me for my boldness, but in the face of such youth and beauty I’m afraid it is difficult to remain aloof.’

Alice stared at him in horror. If Horace Hubble had any romantic ideas in his head he would do better to forget them. The mere sight of him revolted her and although they had only just met, her first impression of him had been far from favourable. For once she was grateful to her aunt for her rigid sense of propriety. Jane shooed Horace out of the room and Alice turned to her mother with a sigh of relief.

‘Would you believe that, Mama? He seems to think a lot of himself.’

‘I suspected that Jane had an ulterior motive in having him here tonight and treating us all to such a meal.’

‘I can’t think what that would be.’

‘Nor I, but I’ve heard your papa speak about Horace’s father and it’s true that he went through a fortune by playing the stock market. They lost everything and George Hubble blew his brains out, leaving Horace with virtually nothing. It seems that both our families have been unlucky.’

‘Horace’s misfortune has nothing to do with us, Mama.’ Alice stared at her mother, eyebrows raised. ‘Apart from losing Papa and Uncle Robert, what else is there?’

Twin spots of colour stained Beth’s cheeks. ‘All families have something they want to hide or are ashamed of, darling. Forget I said anything.’

‘No, Mama. You can’t leave it like that.’ Her curiosity aroused Alice, moved to sit beside her mother.

‘I don’t suppose you remember your Aunt Viola, do you?’

Alice frowned. ‘Papa’s sister? I have a vague memory of her. She was young and pretty and she laughed a lot.’

‘Viola was headstrong and spoiled. She was your father’s half-sister, the child of your grandfather’s second marriage. You were only seven or eight when she eloped with a man who was totally unsuitable. It was a terrible scandal.

‘What happened to her, Mama? Where is she now?’

‘I was told that she died of consumption.’

‘Poor thing, how sad.’

‘The family hushed up the details. It was very tragic.’

‘What happened to her husband?’

‘They weren’t married. I don’t know what happened to him, and it was all a long time ago.’

‘How was Aunt Jane unlucky? What skeleton has she got hidden in her cupboard?’

‘It’s not a laughing matter, Alice.’

‘I’m sorry, but I don’t understand why Aunt Jane went to such a lot of expense entertaining her cousin.’

‘Perhaps she has a generous side to her nature. From the little I know about Horace I believe he works in a counting office somewhere in the City and lives in rented rooms in a poor area. You might say he’s come down in the world.’

‘But why did Aunt Jane want us to meet him?’

‘She once told me that she could not bear to think that the Hubble name would die out. Horace is the last in the line and hasn’t shown any inclination towards marriage.’

‘I doubt if there are many young women who would want him, unless they were desperate,’ Alice said, chuckling.

‘You shouldn’t judge a person by their looks, my love. Poor Horace wasn’t blessed with a handsome countenance, but I’m sure that deep down he’s a kind man and would make someone a good husband.’

‘You don’t think that Aunt Jane means me to be the sacrificial lamb, do you? That would be too ridiculous.’

‘Jane is a wealthy woman and Horace has few prospects. Without a son and heir the Hubble line will come to an abrupt end. Jane doesn’t want that to happen and I think she’s desperate to find a bride for her cousin.’

‘I pity the woman who is chosen, that’s all I can say.’

‘I was watching him closely and from the way he was acting and the attention he paid you, I think he sees a way out of his predicament.’

‘No!’ Alice stared at her mother in horror. ‘I wouldn’t marry Horace Hubble if he was the last man on earth.’ She spun round at the sound of the door opening and saw her aunt standing on the threshold. Judging by the sour expression on her face she had heard everything. ‘I – I mean it, Aunt Jane,’ Alice said hastily. ‘If you’re thinking of encouraging me to marry your cousin, it won’t work.’

Jane folded her arms across her chest. ‘While you live under my roof you will do as I say. Horace might not be a young girl’s dream of romance, but he is a respectable man of good family, and his wife will be assured of living in modest comfort for the rest of her life. I will see to that.’

‘I’d sooner die than agree to such a marriage,’ Alice cried passionately.

‘People are expiring on the streets at this moment, and you have your mother to consider, Alice. How do you think she would survive in the workhouse? I advise you to think about it very carefully.’

‘I’m sorry, Aunt Jane, but nothing you could do or say would make any difference. I don’t know Mr Hubble. He’s a stranger to me, as I am to him. Surely he wouldn’t consider marrying someone he didn’t know?’

‘My cousin will do as I think best. He knows that his future depends upon satisfying me that the Hubble name will live on. Our ancestors were here before the time of William the Conqueror and we once owned half of Kent. Marry Horace, give him a son, and then we will all be happy.’

‘You might be,’ Alice said indignantly, ‘but I wouldn’t.’

‘It is asking a lot of her,’ Beth said softly. ‘Surely it would be better to allow them to get to know each other before making such demands, Jane?’

Jane turned on her in a fury. ‘What do you know about anything? You had neither brains nor breeding and you didn’t bring a dowry to the marriage. Clement could have done so much better.’

‘We were happy.’ Beth’s voice broke on a sob. ‘We loved each other. Doesn’t that count for anything?’

Alice moved swiftly to her mother’s side, placing her arm around Beth’s trembling shoulders. ‘Leave Mama out of this, Aunt Jane.’

Jane tossed her head. ‘I have only this to say to you, Alice Radcliffe. Agree to marry my cousin or leave this house and make your own way in the world. It’s your choice.’