This woman's cold embrace startled me. It was only when she released me, that I was able to distinguish my sister's features under a heavy veil of powder, rouge, and lipstick.
'Elizabeth,' I mouthed shocked by the sudden encounter.
I had completely forgotten the blood-smeared apron I was still wearing, after having assisted Hanson during an operation in the theatre. I took it off immediately.
'Oh dear,' squealed Elizabeth, whose furs had been stained by blood.
'I can clean it for you, Ma'am,' suggested Molly reaching with her tiny hands towards Elizabeth's grand figure.
A number of unpleasant expressions graced my sister's features. Her disgust turned to aversion for the small girl, whose lowly upbringing could hardly qualify her to know the correct treatment fur required. Being well-mannered, herself, Elizabeth politely refused, and said that her maid would tend to it. She did not bother taking it off. Her features became more agreeable when her face turned away from Molly.
I did not know what to do with my sister, what to say to her, or how to feel about her sudden arrival. My own up-bringing suggested that I should offer her, and the Admiral, who watched us attentively from his position by the stairs, a cup of tea and some biscuits.
The party followed me to the upper floor. We walked past a room with a sick bed. The person lying in it, although sleeping peacefully without any visible sign of disease or injury, caused Elizabeth to draw a handkerchief from her sleeve and hold it to her nose.
'This is Mrs MacMelcom,' I whispered. 'She suffers from severe back pains. As a girl she worked in a coal mine, where she was forced to carry heavy things and climb narrow tunnels.'
'Fascinating,' said my sister in a way that suggested it did not interest her in the slightest.
It hurt me that my dear sister, the one who had raised me, had become indifferent to the sufferings of others. She had always held herself with an air of entitlement but never as strongly as this. I swallowed my feelings, and decided not to mention anything further concerning our patients. She had chosen to visit me, and I should be grateful for that.
We only had a small sitting room on the upper floor. At first, Hanson and I ate our meals alone here, but now we were always joined by our nurses. They were part of our family.
Elizabeth did not approve of the limited space and the cheap furniture, but other than her flaring nostrils, there were no signs to give away her discomfort.
'Molly, will you fetch Dr Hanson,' I asked the girl as sweetly as I could, because she looked so very much afraid of my admittedly intimidating sister. 'He is in the theatre, finishing up after the operation. And please tell cook to make some tea for us. I believe he only just made fresh cake this morning? Be so kind as to bring it.'
'Yes, Jo,' said Molly and curtsied to Elizabeth, who rolled her eyes as soon as Molly was out of sight.
'You allow the maid to call you 'Jo'?' asked Elizabeth bewildered by such barbarous customs.
'She is not a maid,' I opposed, 'she is a nurse.'
'What is your function? Are you a nurse, too?'
'I am somewhere between head nurse and assistant surgeon, and I keep the books and accounts.'
The Admiral sneered. It was the first time he made any noise at all, and already I was reminded of my feelings of contempt towards him.
'Has something upset you, Admiral?' I inquired with an authority befitting my position.
'Forgive me, Madam,' he said fighting to keep his expression steady and not to succumb to laughter. 'I found it humouring that a woman should call herself both assistant surgeon, and accountant.'
'I am glad I was able to amuse you,' I retorted standing my ground. 'Even if I cannot see how exactly I did it.'
Just then, Hanson entered, and greeted the Admiral and his wife politely and with perfectly believable enthusiasm. We all sat down to enjoy the tea and cake Molly carried in. Elizabeth cleaned the rim of her cup with her silk handkerchief before allowing it to touch her lips.
'Eleanor is well, I trust,' I asked my sister after she was done poking invisible hazards from her piece of cake.
'Oh, yes, very much so,' she exclaimed. 'Eleanor stays with us in London. She enjoys the diversions the town offers.'
'You live in London?' I sipped my tea.
'Yes, near Primrose Hill. It is only just behind-'
'Marylebone Station, I know,' it was the area where some of our wealthiest patients lived.
Hanson asked the Admiral about Abigail's well-being, and the Admiral confirmed that he had left her in good health the last time he had visited her. Once it was established that all of our female relations were in good health and spirits we turned to our tea and politely glared at each other.
I did not know why Elizabeth had come, and I could not persuade myself to believe that she had merely missed me. Downstairs, there was work waiting to be done, patients who needed their doctor's care, but Hanson and I were stuck upstairs, tied up by an uncomfortable quietness of unvoiced accusations. Hanson would not leave me alone with the two of them, no matter how long they decided to stay. I wished they would go already. It was enough for me to have seen Elizabeth, and to know she was well and satisfied.
'Dr Hanson,' began the Admiral, 'do you not mind one of your nurses wearing men's clothing?'
The Admiral seemed to have neglected the description I had given him of my position. To him it was probably the same as if I had told him, that the hospital carriage was driven by a unicorn with a rainbow-coloured tail.
'None of the nurses are wearing men's clothing,' opposed Hanson pretending to misunderstand the Admiral's meaning.
'Is my sister-in-law not employed here?'
'No, sir,' Hanson chose not to elaborate. Admiral Lowell already thought it was nonsense that I was an accountant, what would he say if he knew the truth? There really was no need to anger him.
'I see,' nodded he satisfied, 'in that case, my bidding should not pose too much of a loss for your hospital.'
'What bidding, sir' Hanson became more cautious yet which made me grow more rigid.
'I would like to ask you to release my sister-in-law for she is to come live with us. We have found a suitable man for her who will be happy to take her hand in marriage. After all that has happened it is the most delicate, discreet, and appropriate way to deal with her situation,' the Admiral finished his speech by placing his empty cup back onto the saucer with a loud clunk.
'And who might that man be?' asked Hanson curiously.
'One of your former students, doctor,' said the Admiral thinking familiarity must be a benefit, 'William Chester.'
I managed to catch the laugh with my palm before it escaped my lips. Hanson looked as though he was trying to remember who William Chester was.
'Ah, yes, I recall him' said Hanson scratching his chin. 'He was an excellent and respectable young man until he drugged a number of his peers with the illegitimate application of laudanum. He was expelled for it. Do you remember him, Joanna?'
'Vaguely, Charles,' I uttered fighting a very persistent giggle.
'I am sure he has seen his mistake,' said the Admiral a little flustered but he recovered quickly, 'after all, he has joined the Royal Navy and there is no room for foolishness there. We can call ourselves lucky that he is willing to take her hand in marriage for only a small sum as compensation for his troubles.'
Chester's consent to marry me could only derive from a very strong wish to torment me. No doubt, he held me responsible for his expulsion in some way or another. His mind only worked to see the fault in others, but never in himself. The only way he could feel a sense of fulfilment was when everyone around him was more miserable than he.
'I am afraid, I cannot consent to such a bond,' retorted Hanson putting his own cup, which he had hardly drunk from, on the table.
'Your consent is needed, sir,' said the Admiral slowly beginning to display a temper.
'Joanna, dear,' spoke my sister. 'Pray, be reasonable. This is the best possible solution for all
involved.'
'Would you want me to marry a man, whom to live with was torture?' I asked her. It was no longer funny. All I wanted was to hear that of course she would have never suggested it had she known his character, because I was her little sister, and she loved me.
'Nonsense, darling,' she uttered. 'You are greatly exaggerating. He is a very...,' she paused to think of his many traits of which not one would put him in a positive light, '...agreeable young man. You cannot think of only yourself. It is my position you need to consider.'
There was nothing I could say in response. I searched Hanson's eyes, he understood everything I did not know how to put into words. And answered my helpless look with one of infinite compassion and kindness. He left it to me, however, to settle the affair. It was my prerogative and he respected that.
'Dear sister,' I said and took a deep breath, 'I shall not come with you. I am quite happy and comfortable where I am.'
'This will not do,' Elizabeth rose to her feet and built herself up in front of me in all her splendid glory, and blood-smeared extravagance.
Molly came back more flushed than before. She announced that another lady had come. Abigail entered and the splendour in the room doubled if not tripled. Her dress was so massive that she had trouble passing through the doorway.
Chapter 32
COMPANY AND COMAPNIONSHIP
'Papa,' Abigail sang, and both Hanson and the Admiral rose from their chairs. Abigail gave her father a kiss on the cheek and allowed Hanson to kiss her hand, then she turned to Elizabeth who seemed a little less confident and a little less comfortable than she had been only just a moment ago.
'Dear mama-in-law,' smiled Abigail with a hint of sarcasm in her otherwise perfectly amiable voice.
Only then did I realise that my sister was indeed a year younger than her daughter-in-law. I did not know what to think of it, but I was surprised to find that I was glad to see Abigail, even though the air in the small sitting room became thinner – particularly when the two marvellous woman began trying to out-glare each other.
'Are you quite comfortable in London, dear mama,' inquired Abigail with unmistakable humour that almost seemed a little vile.
'Quite comfortable,' replied Elizabeth with a much less dominant voice than she had used with me.
'I am glad to hear it. It can be a little daunting, I imagine, after having having lived in the country side all your life. Though not as daunting as Paris or New York, I am sure,' said Abigail who never failed to allude to her supreme position in life and the numerous travels she had been on.
'To be sure,' consented Elizabeth and her rosy cheeks whitened a little despite the powder.
Admiral Lowell made no attempt to come to his wife's rescue, and though I had difficulty to choose a side, myself, I thought it very inappropriate of him to leave Elizabeth at Abigail's mercy.
'Abigail,' said Hanson being once again the knight in shining armour, 'how very good of you to visit us. As you can see, your generous investment has been put to good use.'
'Indeed, it has,' nodded Abigail looking about the room and its lacking style. Hanson and I had chosen inexpensive and practical furniture – whether or not the pieces matched one another had been secondary. 'And I am glad you did choose to name your hospital after your sister – I cannot think of a name that would have been more suitable,' she added grudgingly which made it clear she had expected her own name to be on the plate.
'Well,' said Hanson, 'it is not my hospital to name. Jo is the legal owner.'
A deadly silence befell the room that made me shift uncomfortably in my seat. Elizabeth was the first to find her voice: 'You are the owner, Jo? How is that possible?'
'Do you remember how I told you that I would find means to provide for you and Eleanor if only I graduated from Kenwood and pursued a career?'
'Of course, I remember, it was perfect nonsense. You risked to ruin us all.'
'But I have not ruined you, have I? And due to the money we received while I was in school, you were able to go to Portsmouth, and dress nicely, and meet the Admiral, is it not so? And if you had waited a little more, you would have learned that Mr Sears' kindness did not end there. But one should not speak of business matters in the company of such formidable ladies whom to bore would be a sin, therefore I shall refrain from it.'
Elizabeth was aghast and I felt for her, even though it was her fault. Who could have known how the tables would turn? She would not have needed to marry the Admiral if she had trusted me. My only hope was that she felt at least some affection for him and that he saw more in her than just a pretty face.
'So sorry to bother you again,' said Molly through a crack in the door and announced that a gentleman had come.
'Terry,' I exclaimed and jumped from my chair. I wanted to throw my arms around him but remembered that there were far too many people looking and that a handshake would more than do to shock them.
He smiled timidly and asked if it was a bad time but I insisted that he could not have chosen a better one. He scarcely sat down when Molly was at the door again.
'Another gentleman has come.'
'By all means do let him in', Hanson said with dramatic enthusiasm, 'I am rather set on receiving all of London today. Perhaps a small entry fee would be in order seeing as we are so popular.'
It was Mr Hanson who entered and Charles went quite pale.
'You seem to have discovered your business sense, my son. How fortunate,' noted Mr Hanson in his usual emotionless demeanour. 'Mrs Johnson what a pleasant surprise,' said he and kissed her hand, she was pleased to be treated with the respect and admiration she thought she deserved and glanced at Elizabeth to make sure she took notice of it. Mr Hanson then looked about the room displeased to find all the other people in it.
'Mr Hanson,' said the Admiral amiably.
'Captain Lowell,' returned Hanson's father with bored eyes.
'It is Admiral now, sir,' corrected the Admiral proudly.
'I beg your pardon, Admiral.'
Mr Hanson must have come on business and was annoyed to waste time exchanging pleasantries with a retired Admiral who was of no consequence to an influential business man of his standing.
Molly brought more tea and cups. The poor girl's hands were shaking under the weight of the tray.
'What brings you here, father,' asked Hanson in a confidential manner.
'I have business with you my son that I would like to discuss privately.'
Hanson looked to me to ascertain if I could handle the situation. I did not think that I could but I nodded any way.
'Very well, father, but I do not have much time.'
'Neither do I.'
They left the room and I listened to their foot steps as they went into the study two doors further down the hall. It was the only study we had and I used it mostly for book keeping. I suddenly wished I had cleaned and organised it better – what would Hanson's father think when he saw the mess of files and folders all stacked up on the desk? How embarrassing.
'Jo,' whispered Terry and smiled as I left my daydream to focus my attention on him. 'I came to see how you were. This place is wonderful, I bet you are immensely proud.'
'I am,' I admitted and felt my chest swell. There was plenty to be proud of, and no matter how haughty the Admiral, or my sister, or Abigail were. They could not take away from me what Hanson and I had worked so hard to build up.
'You know,' said Terry and blushed a little, 'I came to tell you what I decided to do after Kenwood.'
'Do tell me,' I urged him eagerly.
'I am going to go to Oxford to study medicine and then I will come here to train as a doctor, if the two of you will have me.'
'That is wonderful news, Terry,' I was excited just to think of having Terry work here. 'Of course, you can come here. I am sure Hanson will be happy to train you. He holds you in great esteem,' indeed he did, but mostly because I always spoke of Terry in positive terms.
'You and Hanson inspired me,' he added timidly a
nd I squeezed his hand.
'I do not want to keep you any further seeing as you are so busy. I shall take my leave but I will visit again soon,' Terry said joyfully.
'Next time I will show you around,' I promised, and was sorry to let him go already.
Abigail, meanwhile, had begun a conversation with her father whom she now urged to leave along with Terry as he would otherwise remain the only man. Rather than being bored by our female chit-chat he might as well go outside, she insisted.
'Surely Mr Hanson and Dr Hanson will be back soon. I wanted to-' Admiral Lowell was not allowed to finish his sentence, as his daughter knew best: 'Papa, I am sure, Mr Hanson will be happy to listen to all of the exciting stories that your retirement holds but do spare us with them and let us have a ladies' conversation. I promise it will be nothing of consequence, as you know, women never have anything important to say, therefore, I assure you, you won't miss anything.'
Flustered but obediently the Admiral did as his impressive daughter commanded and I discovered that I could come to respect and admire Abigail, after all.
As soon as the door shut behind the two men, Abigail turned to Elizabeth.
'Mrs Lowell,' she said, 'how happy I am to finally make your acquaintance properly. The wedding offered little opportunity to talk and I am most eager to learn all I can about my mama-in-law. I gather Miss Ryde is your sister?'
'Yes, she is,' stuttered Elizabeth hoarsely, and looked to me for help. I offered none because I wanted to both avoid becoming Abigail's next victim and learn what it was she wanted to find out. I, myself, knew nothing about Elizabeth's new life and seemed to have no right to ask about it, therefore all I could do was rely on Abigail.
'And Miss Ryde was Mr Ryde until only recently,' smiled Abigail, 'might this insignificant change be the reason why your wedding happened in such a hurry?'
Elizabeth said nothing but looked guiltily at her hands.
'So I am correct in the assumption that a pretty lady such as yourself would only marry a man like my father to escape the fate of impoverishment and ridicule? Pray, did he even know of your connection to Miss Ryde?'
The Girl who was a Gentleman (Victorian Romance, History) Page 27