The Reluctant Heiress

by Dilly Court

  Outside bricks and stones were being hurled and punches thrown. Kate was about to lock the door when two of the men fell against it and the catch gave way. They tumbled into the room pursued by several others, who smashed up tables and chairs, scattering cutlery and tin bowls onto the floor. Jenny emerged from the kitchen brandishing a rolling pin, but Kate snatched it from her.

  ‘Get help before they destroy everything.’ She gave Jenny a gentle shove towards the door, but as if on cue, a broad-shouldered man wearing a long black coat and a felt hat pulled down over his brow, strode into the premises, followed by two tough-looking individuals.

  ‘Enough!’ the man bellowed, and the fighting stopped abruptly.

  ‘This is an outrage,’ Kate said angrily. ‘Look at the damage your men have done. This is a soup kitchen, not a boxing ring.’

  ‘You’d better watch your tongue, young woman.’

  ‘I don’t know who you are, but this is private property.’ Kate faced him, clenching her hands behind her back. She was trembling from head to foot but she was not going to let this man see she was afraid.

  ‘Monks is the name. I dare say you’ve heard of me.’

  ‘I have heard of you, as it happens, but nothing good.’

  He glared at her and then, to Kate’s surprise, he threw back his head and laughed. ‘They call me Mad Monks.’

  ‘Well, Mr Monks, please take your men and leave. I don’t suppose they have any intention of clearing up the mess.’

  He moved a step closer to Kate, bending his head to look her in the eye, and a livid scar on his right cheek gleamed palely. ‘You’re being used, young lady. Trader only keeps you here as a cover for his not-so-respectable activities, but that’s all going to end. Cable Street belongs to me and his time here is over. You’ve been warned.’

  Kate was trembling, but she was determined not to allow him to intimidate her. ‘I want you to go now.’

  ‘Out of respect to you ladies we will leave, but you can tell Harry Trader that we won’t be so polite next time. Make sure you pass on that message.’

  ‘I have nothing to do with Trader and his gang.’ Kate tossed her head. ‘We are here to help those in need. I’m not interested in your petty squabbles.’

  Jenny plucked at her sleeve. ‘Don’t annoy him,’ she whispered.

  ‘Outside,’ Monks roared, pointing at his bruised and bloodied men. He glanced over his shoulder. ‘You’ve seen nothing yet, miss. Stay here and you’ll find yourself in the middle of a gang war where no one is safe.’ He swept out into the street, followed by his men.

  Kate gazed in dismay at the four men who lay on the floor. They were bloodied and bruised and in various stage of consciousness.

  ‘Who are they?’ Jenny asked anxiously.

  ‘They must be Trader’s gang,’ Kate said in a low voice. ‘I suppose we’d better help them.’

  ‘They’re criminals, Kate.’

  ‘Yes, and they’re bleeding all over our clean floor. Fetch a bowl of water and some rags.’

  ‘Have they gone?’ Spears peered round the inner door.

  ‘Where were you when we needed you?’ Kate demanded.

  ‘I’m not stupid enough to take on Mad Moses Monks. I heard you through the crack in the door,’ Spears said, shaking his head. ‘You’ve made an enemy there, miss. You’ll need to be very careful where you go and what you say in future.’ He bent down to help one of the least injured men to his feet. ‘Come on, Watkins. Let’s get you upstairs. The rest of you, get up and stop acting like little girls. Harry’s not going to be very pleased with you, I can tell you that for nothing.’ He heaved Watkins towards the stairs, and the other men scrambled to their feet, two of them bleeding profusely.

  Jenny handed one a drying cloth she had been clutching. ‘You’ll need some salve to put on those cuts, mister.’

  ‘Ta.’ The man held the cloth to his nose and stumbled off after Spears.

  ‘We should make them clear up the mess,’ Kate said crossly as the door closed on them.

  ‘Never mind. We’ll get it done quicker without them.’ Jenny began retrieving the items strewn all over the floor. ‘Send the bill to Harry Trader. That’s what I’d do.’

  ‘Yes, you’re right. I’ll have a few words with him when I see him next.’ Kate heaved at one of the overturned tables. ‘This mustn’t happen again. Go and check on Ivy and the children, Jenny. They must be scared out of their wits, poor little mites.’

  It took time to get everything straight again, and some of the mugs were damaged beyond repair. Kate sent Ivy home early, and she was thankful for Jenny’s level-headedness and seeming inability to be frightened by anything. When they had finished clearing up Jenny made a pot of tea.

  ‘Come and sit down, miss. I think we’ve earned a rest and a cup of split pea.’

  Kate wiped her hands on a towel. ‘Thanks, Jenny. I’ll join you in a minute or two, but first I want a word with Spears. I’m not going to wait for Harry Trader to grace us with his presence. I’m going to find out where he lives and I’m going to tell him that if he doesn’t give us some protection from other gangs we’ll find somewhere else for our soup kitchen.’

  ‘Quite right. I don’t see why we have to put up with what just happened.’

  ‘No, definitely not. I’m just thankful that Annie wasn’t here today. That’s another thing. I want to know where she lives. She might be ill, for all we know.’

  ‘Do you want me to come with you, miss?’

  ‘I’ll speak to Spears first and then I’ll let you know.’

  Kate made her way up the narrow staircase to the first floor. It was the first time she had ventured this far and she did not know what to expect. She found herself on a narrow landing with doors leading off to the right and left, but she could hear raised voices and moans coming from the room straight ahead and she went in without knocking.

  It was large and light, with two tall windows, but the smell of blood and unwashed bodies made her wrinkle her nose. The injured men were sprawled in chairs while Spears dabbed ineffectually at the bleeding wounds on Watkins’s face.

  Kate snatched the bowl of water and the cloth from his hands. ‘You’re just making it worse,’ she said impatiently. ‘You’re Watkins, aren’t you?’

  He eyed her warily. ‘Yes, miss.’

  ‘Sit down, please. Then I can see what I’m doing.’

  ‘This ain’t your problem, miss,’ Spears said awkwardly. ‘Harry wouldn’t like it if he knew you was up here.’

  ‘Harry Trader has a lot to answer for.’ Kate dealt with the cuts on Watkins’s face, which proved to be superficial. She handed him the cloth. ‘Here, hold that to your nose. It’ll stop bleeding soon.’

  She turned to Spears. ‘I want to see Mr Trader urgently. Where will I find him?’

  Watkins shook his head. ‘Harry don’t like people knowing where he lives.’

  ‘I’m not leaving this room until someone gives me his address.’ Kate folded her arms, glaring at each man in turn. ‘I’m waiting.’

  Chapter Seven

  Kate did not know what she had been expecting, but Harry Trader’s residence came as something of a shock. She had thought vaguely that he might have rooms in one of the less salubrious areas, although perhaps not too close to Cable Street, but the address given to her by Spears took her to Finsbury Circus and a house that was even larger and more imposing than her parents’ home. Kate stood on the pavement, staring up at the elegant façade in disbelief. Surely Spears must have been mistaken. Either that or he was making fun of her. However, there was only one way to find out. She raised the lion’s-head door knocker and allowed it to fall on the metal plate. The sound resonated throughout what she imagined would be a large entrance hall.

  Kate waited but she was suddenly nervous. How would she explain herself if a pompous butler opened the door and demanded to know her business? She could hear footsteps and she braced herself for whatever might happen next.

  The door opened and Kat
e found herself face to face with a small, older woman dressed in black from head to foot.

  ‘Oh! I beg your pardon,’ Kate said nervously. ‘I think I must have the wrong address.’

  ‘You’re looking for my son.’ The woman took a step backwards, holding the door open. ‘Come in, my dear.’

  ‘No, really,’ Kate protested. ‘There must be some mistake. I’m looking for Harry Trader.’

  The woman laughed. ‘Harry is such a tease. Come into the morning parlour and I’ll send for some coffee, or would you prefer tea?’

  ‘Coffee would be very nice,’ Kate said automatically. She followed the woman who claimed to be Harry’s mother across a black and white marble-tiled floor to a room overlooking the street. It was a hot day but, even so, a fire burned in the grate beneath an imposing and beautifully carved mantelpiece. Everything in the room, from the hand-painted wallpaper to the velvet upholstery on the sofa and chairs, and the flower-filled vases on pier tables, spoke of style, elegance and, above all, comfort.

  ‘This is very kind of you, Mrs Trader,’ Kate began awkwardly.

  Harry’s mother chuckled as she sank gracefully onto a chair by the fire. ‘It’s Lady Lyndon, my dear. Do take a seat.’ Lady Lyndon reached for the embroidered bell pull and gave it a gentle tug.

  Kate sat down obediently. ‘I don’t understand.’

  ‘Harry has his reasons for keeping our name and address a secret. I know nothing of his business activities, and I don’t ask.’

  ‘So Harry Trader isn’t his real name?’

  ‘No, my dear. Since the death of my husband Harry is now Sir Harry Lyndon, Baronet. Perhaps you can understand now why he likes to use an alias.’

  ‘I think so,’ Kate said guardedly. She was beginning to feel as though she had stepped into a Gothic novel by Mrs Radcliffe. The Mysteries of Udolpho would seem quite tame after discovering that Harry led a double life.

  ‘That’s enough about my boy,’ Lady Lyndon said cheerfully. ‘Tell me about yourself. I don’t even know your name.’

  ‘I’m Kate Martin, ma’am. I mean, my lady. I run a soup kitchen giving meals to the poor in Cable Street.’

  ‘Really? How public-spirited of you, Kate.’ Lady Lyndon turned her head at the sound of someone knocking on the door. ‘Enter.’

  A young maidservant stepped into the room. ‘You rang, my lady?’

  ‘Coffee and cake, Agnes.’

  ‘Yes, my lady.’ Agnes bobbed a curtsey and hurried from the room, closing the door behind her.

  ‘Now then, where were we?’ Lady Lyndon gave Kate a searching look. ‘You were telling me about your charitable work.’

  ‘Yes, my lady. I’m not sure how much longer it can go on.’

  ‘Why is that, Kate?’

  ‘I’ve been funding it myself, but we have more and more people coming for a midday meal, and it’s taking every penny of my allowance.’

  ‘I see.’ Lady Lyndon sat back in her chair, fixing Kate with a calculating look. ‘Did you not think of that before you began?’

  ‘No, my lady. I’m afraid I went ahead blindly.’

  ‘And now you’re seeking help from my son.’

  ‘Not exactly. Harry, I mean Sir Harry, is our landlord. He owns the building and even though he’s allowing us a rent-free month, I’m afraid we can’t continue after that.’

  ‘My late husband was, I believe, a shrewd businessman. I know almost nothing about his finances, but I do know that he invested in property. Harry handles the business side of things now.’

  ‘I didn’t come to ask for money, Lady Lyndon.’

  ‘What do you want, Kate?’

  Kate rose to her feet. She realised that Harry’s mother knew nothing of his criminal activities. ‘I really shouldn’t take up any more of your time, my lady.’

  ‘Nonsense. It’s delightful to have young company. I was just about to go for a walk in the gardens when you knocked on the door.’ Lady Lyndon dimpled mischievously. ‘My servants will be put out when they learn that I let you in. They have very set ideas of what is proper and what is not.’

  ‘But you’re a titled lady, ma’am. You must be used to ordering a large household.’

  ‘My father was a humble clerk in the City. We had a maid of all work, which set us a cut above the rest of those living in our street in Clerkenwell, but my mother took in sewing in order to pay for my education. When I was fifteen I went into service with the Lyndon family, which is where I met Lionel, their only son. We fell in love, but the family would never have countenanced such a match so we eloped to Gretna Green. My husband was disowned by his father, but as he only had sisters, Lionel inherited the title and this house when his father died.’

  Kate was saved from commenting by the reappearance of Agnes, bearing a tray of coffee and a plate of tiny cakes.

  ‘Will you pour the coffee, please, Kate? My hands are crippled with what my doctor calls rheumatics, although they are a little better with the warmer weather.’

  Kate filled two cups and passed one to Lady Lyndon. She picked up the plate of cakes, but Lady Lyndon shook her head. ‘No, thank you, my dear. But do have as many as you like. They are Harry’s favourites.’

  ‘Thank you, my lady.’ Kate sipped the coffee and nibbled a cake, but all the time she was trying to think of an excuse to leave. Lady Lyndon seemed desperate for company and that made it all the more difficult to get away.

  ‘Tell me about your family, Kate.’ Lady Lyndon replaced her china cup on its saucer. ‘Have you any brothers and sisters?’

  ‘No, my lady. I’m an only child. My father was the chief magistrate in Delhi for three years. We returned from India in the spring.’

  ‘Were you caught up in the troubles there?’

  ‘Yes, my lady. We fled from Delhi at the outbreak of the uprising. We were lucky to escape with our lives.’

  ‘How dreadfully exciting. Although it must have been terrifying. You must tell me all about it.’

  ‘Maybe another time, my lady.’ Kate put her plate back on the tray. ‘I have things to do that cannot wait.’

  ‘And you haven’t seen Harry. May I pass on a message?’

  ‘No, it’s all right. Perhaps I’ll see him at the soup kitchen in the near future.’ Kate rose to her feet, but as she did so the door opened and Harry strolled into the morning room.

  ‘Agnes said you had a visitor, Mama.’

  ‘I believe you know Miss Martin.’ Lady Lyndon smiled fondly at her son. ‘She came to see you, Harry.’

  ‘Yes, we are acquainted. How may I be of service, Miss Martin?’ Harry pulled up a chair and sat down next to Kate.

  ‘You are full of surprises, Sir Harry Lyndon,’ Kate said sharply.

  Lady Lyndon rose to her feet. ‘I was on my way out when Kate arrived, Harry. I wanted some fresh air.’

  ‘You aren’t planning to go out on your own again, I hope?’

  ‘I’m not a child, Harry. I don’t think any harm will come to me in the gardens.’

  ‘Where is Hattersley? She should accompany you, Mama.’

  ‘The poor woman suffers from terrible headaches. I told her to lie down in a darkened room until she feels better. Now, don’t fuss, Harry. I’m going to take a turn around the gardens and you may watch from the window if you’re worried about me.’ Lady Lyndon bustled out of the room, allowing the door to swing shut behind her.

  Harry half rose from his seat, but he sank down again, shaking his head. ‘My mother is a most determined woman.’

  ‘But you’re worried about her none the less.’ Kate watched him closely. She sensed that he was genuinely anxious for his mother’s wellbeing. ‘Are you afraid that Monks or one of his men might accost your mother, Harry?’

  He met her questioning look with a slow smile. ‘You are very perceptive.’

  ‘After that fracas in the soup kitchen nothing would surprise me. You should have warned me that we might be a target for your rivals.’

  ‘That wasn’t planned,’ Harry sai
d hastily. ‘As I see it, a fight between Monks’ men and mine got out of hand and it spilled into my premises. For that I’m truly sorry. Is that why you came here to find me?’

  ‘No, not really. I came because I might have to give up the soup kitchen. At least until I can find a way of funding it properly.’

  ‘Are you sure it wasn’t because of what happened?’

  ‘That didn’t help. There were small children in the kitchen, not to mention Jenny and Ivy, who were both terrified, as was I, if it comes to that. But it is mainly because I can’t afford to run it on my own.’

  ‘What would you say if I offered to help you?’

  ‘I can’t even begin to understand you, Harry. You lead a double life – you’re a gang leader in the East End, but you’re also wealthy and titled. Why would you risk all this?’ Kate encompassed the elegant room with a wave of her hands.

  ‘It’s not all it seems,’ Harry said slowly. ‘My mother doesn’t know, but there is no fortune. My late father was an astute businessman, but he was also a gambler.’

  ‘But you have this beautiful house, filled with expensive furniture.’

  ‘All of which I purchased myself through my illegal gambling clubs.’

  ‘Why don’t you simply tell her the truth? She seems to be a very resolute, strong-minded woman.’

  ‘She is, but I intend to keep it from her for as long as humanly possible.’

  ‘But what if she discovers the truth about you? Don’t you think that would break her heart?’

  ‘I’ve taken great care to keep my other life a secret. Until now no one has linked Harry Trader with Harry Lyndon. How did you get my address, by the way?’

  ‘It’s best you don’t know, but I can tell you it wasn’t easy. You have no need to worry about the loyalty of your men.’

  ‘I know that, but even so, if you could make one of them talk without putting undue pressure on him, who knows what might happen if Monks got wind of my true identity?’