‘Indeed I am, Father.’
‘Although it was a job to raise a smile out of him on the day after the strike was called off,’ the Colonel said.
Evan glanced sharply at him, relieved to see humour in his eyes. It was only banter, then, although Evan thought he’d disguised his true feelings well.
‘My parishioners would have found the same problem with me, which is why, the Blessed Lord forgive me, I tried to avoid them. Sure, between the three of us, it didn’t sit well with me having to preach one thing from the pulpit and believing the opposite.’
‘My niece tells me that Evan here is a powerful speaker, Father, if you’d care to hear him. When are you next on the platform, Evan?’
Startled, he said, ‘This coming Friday, sir.’
‘You could accompany my niece, Geraldine, Father.’ He began to chuckle. ‘It will be incognito for the pair of you, she covering her red hair, and yourself covering the dog collar.’
Father Keegan laughed. ‘You know, I might just do that. Let me have the details before you go, Evan. But why does she need to cover her hair?’
Evan, who was bringing both men their whiskies, listened intently. The red hair in question was a mass of unruly curls, and Geraldine was extremely attractive. His memory was sketchy as to the clothes she wore when attending meetings, but his overall impression was of dowdiness. Very different from the fashionable clothes she wore when she came to visit her uncle.
‘Wanting to blend in, I think. She feels even the cut of her hair would proclaim her of a higher social class. She also wears a shawl rather than a coat. A young woman of strong opinions is my niece. Like her late father.’
Silently Evan put the glasses down and stood back, prepared to wheel the Colonel to the chess table at the appropriate time.
‘Sure, I remember now,’ Father Keegan said, taking an appreciative sip of his malt. ‘Didn’t he once write to The Times, castigating the government of the day for their lack of Christian charity in the way they dealt with the poor.’
The Colonel laughed. ‘Yes, and there was his name beneath for everyone to see. My father was apoplectic. But then he was a die-hard Tory, whereas Hugo was nothing if not a rebel. At least he didn’t join the Communist Party; I think he’d have been disinherited.’ He shook his head. ‘I, for one, never thought he’d join the established church. Would have made bishop if he hadn’t died of that wretched heart attack.’
He turned to Evan. ‘If you could settle me over there, I shall proceed to thrash my opponent. Evan’s a considerable chess player, you know, Father.’
‘Then I shall have to arrange the right time to play him. If that’s all right with you, Evan?’
‘I’d relish the chance. I’ve never played a priest before.’
‘I warn you, the Almighty sometimes smiles on me.’
Evan laughed. He manoeuvred the Colonel into position and as Father Keegan sat opposite, left the two men to enjoy the evening.
He walked home briskly in the soft evening air, glad of the exercise and thinking of the coming Friday. He was a confident speaker, and Geraldine had already heard him several times. But would it be different now that he had spent so much time with her. Then he dismissed the thought. Why on earth should it?
Chapter Thirty-Nine
At the agency, Elspeth was delighted by the news of Deborah’s engagement.
‘You’ve told me so much about Theo,’ she said, looking down at the photo of the happy couple together. ‘I hadn’t realised he was so handsome.’
‘He is, isn’t he? You would like him, Elspeth, you really would. He’s such an honourable man. I’d trust him with my life.’
‘And that sentiment proves that you’ve chosen the right man.’ She hesitated. ‘If you don’t mind my saying so, I thought you seemed attracted to Evan Morgan. Mind you, right from the first moment he came in to the agency, I was myself, even at my age.’
Deborah was startled at first and then began to laugh. ‘I suppose if you can own up, then so can I. I didn’t realise it was so obvious.’
‘Well, I know you so well.’ Elspeth smiled at her. ‘It’s wonderful to see you looking – the only word is radiant.’
Deborah smiled at her. ‘Thank you.’ She paused, but decided not to raise the topic she guessed must be uppermost in Elspeth’s mind. Deborah herself was trying to come to terms with the fact that once she was married her life would undoubtedly change. Not only might Theo be uncomfortable with her working, as an MP’s wife she would have other commitments. The subject had been preying on her mind. Having been so used to being independent, to making her own decisions, she wasn’t going to find it easy to defer to someone else. No, not defer, that was the wrong word. Hadn’t Theo said more than once that he wanted an equal marriage? But Deborah had a suspicion that wouldn’t include her running the agency, or being away from home three days a week.
Instead, she asked about the day’s appointments.
‘The diary is clear this morning,’ Elspeth said. ‘Although we still haven’t anything to offer that young woman who only recently left the workhouse.’
‘Millie Walker, you mean?’
Elspeth nodded. ‘I feel so sorry for her. What a start in life to be abandoned at ten years old.’
‘She was released into employment in the kitchen of a school, wasn’t she?’
‘Yes, and terribly bullied by the cook. You haven’t yet met her, but I could sympathise with her unwillingness to remain there.’
‘At least she had the good sense not to leave without finding another live-in position. Otherwise she’d be left homeless and probably end up back where she started.’
‘Or something even worse,’ Elspeth said darkly.
Deborah nodded. But an idea was coming into her mind. ‘You formed a good opinion of her?’
‘Most certainly.’
‘Then I think maybe a visit to Father Keegan might help.’
Elspeth brightened. ‘I’ll keep my fingers crossed.’
Some of the gravestones in the churchyard were adorned with vases of flowers as Deborah walked past them, but there was no sign of the priest in the cool and dim interior of the old church. She had telephoned earlier, and guessing he would be enjoying his morning break, she made her way round to the presbytery.
The housekeeper promptly answered Deborah’s ring and opened the door wide with a welcoming smile. ‘Good morning, Miss Claremont. Himself is in his study and expecting you.’
Smiling her thanks, Deborah tapped on the door and went in. ‘Good morning, Father.’
‘Ah, good morning, and isn’t it a day fit for the angels?’
She laughed. ‘Yes, it is. How are you?’
‘I’m well, and one only has to look at yourself to see that you are too.’ Pipe in hand, he raised his eyebrows in query.
She smiled her assent, and watched him tap the tobacco into the bowl and light it. What pleasure such a routine seemed to give men, and fleetingly she wondered what it would be like to do the same. But a woman smoking a pipe? Not exactly unheard of but certainly frowned on.
As the fragrant aroma of the smoke drifted towards her, the priest said, ‘Actually I met your chess-playing protégé last night.’
‘You mean Evan Morgan?’
‘Indeed. And a fine young man he seems. In fact, I’m planning to hear him speak this very Friday.’
That was good to hear, Deborah thought. It was just like Evan not to allow the strike’s defeat to throw him off course. ‘And you’ve heard good reports from the Colonel?’
‘Excellent. The man’s planning and building an extensive model railway, you know. Not that I’ve been allowed to see it yet. Evan is proving a great collaborator, so I’m told.’
He relaxed back in his chair and folded his hands over his ample stomach. ‘But I don’t suppose you’ve come here to talk of past successes. Am I to take it you’ve another lost sheep?’
She smiled. ‘You could describe her as that.’ She told him of Millie’s u
nfortunate start in life and her present predicament. ‘Out of the frying pan in a way, I think, although perhaps more comfortable. Apparently the cook is a tartar, and considers anyone leaving a workhouse to be the dregs of the gutter.’
‘A common opinion among the ignorant.’
‘I’d love to find her a decent position. But I’m not finding it easy. People are often unwilling to give a workhouse girl a chance.’
‘Scullery maid or kitchen maid?’
Deborah nodded.
‘And of amiable nature?’
‘I think she just deserves the chance to be, Father.’
He sighed. ‘There are a lot of troubled souls in the world, Miss Claremont, and we can’t help them all. But I’ll do my best. My housekeeper may know of an opening somewhere. Give me a day or two and I’ll be in touch.’
It seemed a shame not to enjoy the glorious weather for a while before returning to the agency, so Deborah decided to take a stroll through a nearby park. And seeing a secluded bench in the distance she walked towards it and settled down to think. It was opposite a small lake, at the moment mercifully devoid of noisy small boys sailing their boats. Or, she thought with Abby’s twins coming to mind, little girls with their skipping ropes. Children were a subject she and Theo had already discussed, and they were both looking forward to having a family and soon.
Theo had at first been hesitant when the topic came up. ‘Deborah, you are certain about this? I mean, after your earlier traumatic experience.’
That was another thing she liked about Theo. He hadn’t hidden away her confession as though it were a shameful secret. And the fact that at last she’d been able to talk about what had happened, to confide in someone, she’d found a comforting, even healing, experience. Her love for Philippe had ended in tragedy and so had her love for their baby. Nothing could ever change that. But although their memory would always live in her mind, Deborah wasn’t going to allow it to shadow her life with Theo.
‘It will be totally different next time,’ she told him. ‘For one thing, I’ll have proper medical care, and hopefully a strong and healthy baby.’ She’d sometimes wondered whether her own fragile health after her bereavements, and the lonely and depressing months in Wales had contributed to weakening the baby she was carrying. Did a mother’s mood affect the growing life in her womb? She could only console herself that it wasn’t that unusual for a baby not to survive more than a few days of life. Some mothers, especially those in poverty, had to suffer the heartbreak of losing several children.
Deborah was forced to revisit that traumatic time almost as soon as Gerard gave permission for the engagement. When within half an hour of Theo leaving Grosvenor Square she was informed that her brother wished to see her in his study, she didn’t fool herself that this would be anything other than a confrontation.
‘My congratulations, Deborah,’ was his greeting. His tone was reasonably warm but she knew that icy glint in his eyes and waited.
‘I think you may have guessed that wasn’t my only reason for wishing to see you. It gives me no pleasure to raise the subject of your unfortunate past again, but I need your reassurance that you have obeyed my wishes.’
She was under no illusion as to the strength of his feelings. Gerard had always maintained that no one, absolutely no one, should ever discover what had taken place during those bleak months in Wales. Whereas she had always been adamant that if, and when she married, her husband must be told the truth. She’d tried to convince her brother that it would be dishonest not to, and even if she didn’t reveal it before her marriage, on becoming pregnant, any midwife or doctor would know that she’d previously had a child.
Gerard’s reaction to that had simply been one word, ‘Nonsense!’
Deborah again remained silent.
‘Come along, Deborah! Can I take it that you haven’t confided the unsavoury details to your intended?’
‘I think that is between myself and Theo.’
He stared at her. ‘But you haven’t told him.’
‘I didn’t say that.’
His expression darkened with anger. ‘So, you have.’
‘I didn’t say that, either.’
Gerard hit the desk with his fist. ‘Deborah, you know how I feel about protecting our family name. Skeletons should stay in the closet. If I find out …’
‘But you won’t, will you? Not without admitting knowledge of something you’d rather remain hidden.’ She turned to leave, and as she opened the door said over her shoulder, ‘And that, dear brother, is my last word on the matter.’
Chapter Forty
Gerard was suffused with anger. How dared his sister defy him? Not only that but leave him discomforted at not knowing the truth. Had she told Field? If she was going to continue with this intransigence he would never know, and that did not sit well with him, not at all. And if Field did know, how trustworthy was he? He had known politicians who after several whiskies or brandies were often less than discreet.
He drummed his fingers on the desk and forced himself to think rationally. Deborah may not have revealed her secret at all; it just gave her pleasure to rile him – as it always had! He doubted that Field would have gone ahead with the engagement if he was privy to the truth. If the man was fool enough to do so, he certainly wouldn’t want his constituents or indeed anyone to know that his wife had borne an illegitimate child. No, he decided, there was nothing to worry about.
Julia received Deborah’s news with delight.
‘I always said you and Theo were made for each other. I’m thrilled, Deborah, I really am. We must celebrate with an engagement party.’ Her face lit up at the thought of one to organise.
‘I’m not sure we want an elaborate affair, Julia. A small party, maybe, but it’s only going to be a short engagement. We plan to marry soon, perhaps in about three months?’
Julia clapped her hands. ‘That’s even more exciting. We could go to Paris to choose your wedding dress!’
Deborah laughed at the impulsive suggestion. ‘What a good idea, let’s do that.’ She would have been quite happy with a London couturier, but wanted to provide a distraction for her sister-in-law. Apparently the trip to Italy, their second honeymoon, hadn’t – as yet – achieved the hoped-for-outcome. And Julia’s woebegone face, when thinking herself unobserved, had not gone unnoticed. Another visit to the French capital would prove a welcome distraction for her.
‘Where do you plan to live?’
‘We shall look for a place in London, as Theo will need to be within easy reach of the House. Hopefully, we will find a property that is in good order.’
‘Even so you’ll be able to consult interior decorators, and choose your own furniture. I would have loved that.’
Deborah could well imagine the pleasure such a task would have given Julia, although Gerard had allowed her to express her own taste in her private sitting room. And she had to admit that she herself would enjoy the experience. She was also aware that she was fortunate to have the option. I doubt, she thought, that the wives of miners or even those of most of the working classes ever did.
‘Julia, what would give me pleasure to celebrate my engagement is if you could authorise champagne in the Servants’ Hall? Don’t you agree that it would be a nice gesture?’
‘Yes, of course, I’ll attend to it straightaway.’
Deborah smiled at her. ‘I have a feeling that our trip to Paris will be a resounding success. Although we’ll have to stay long enough for the final fitting.’
‘All the more time to shop,’ Julia said promptly. ‘I’ll ask Gerard to be kind enough to make the necessary arrangements.’
‘And your new maid? Is she likely to desert you over there?’
Julia. ‘I doubt it, a Dublin girl, she’s still thrilled to be here in London.’
Deborah watched her leave the room, thinking how delighted she would be when invited to be a matron of honour.
Theo’s father had expressed warm approval when Theo had telephoned wit
h the news.
‘Well done! Deborah is a charming and intelligent young woman, I liked her very much. And I don’t expect it’s escaped your notice that her status can only enhance your political career. Have you thought of a date for the wedding yet?’
‘I hope in about three months.’
‘Excellent, I don’t believe in long engagements. They take the bloom off, if you know what I mean.’
Theo laughed. ‘I think so.’
‘Nevertheless, a party will be expected.’
‘Please, Father, only a small one. And only invite Felicity if absolutely necessary.’
A chuckle came over the line. ‘She’s away on a cruise.’
Theo replaced the receiver with a feeling of satisfaction. All seemed to be going smoothly, although he was aware that Deborah would soon be swept up in wedding arrangements. He was fortunate there wasn’t an overpowering mama to cope with; he’d seen many a man almost emasculated in the hectic period between a diamond ring and a gold one. Then he instantly regretted the sentiment as crass and insensitive. It would naturally be a sadness for Deborah not to have her mother present on her wedding day.
Theo, too, had been thinking of the question of where they would live, and had already registered with several upmarket property agents. He had no wish to begin their married life in his bachelor apartment. He and Deborah had discussed their preferences, and already there were five properties he’d arranged to view but didn’t want to tire Deborah at this stage. Once he had a shortlist, it would be different.
To make the final choice together would be an experience he’d look forward to.
Going to collect his briefcase as he was due at the House for a crucial debate, he thought that soon he and Deborah must have a serious discussion about the staff agency. Theo had no intention of putting any pressure on her, he admired enormously her initiative and courage in what she’d achieved. But her life was bound to change after they were married. He thought of his father’s comment. Yes, Deborah, beautiful and articulate with a keen interest in politics, would most certainly be a distinct asset to his career. But although Theo was aware that colleagues considered him ruthless with regard to his political ambitions, that didn’t apply to his personal life or he would have married long ago.
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