A Life of Secrets

by Margaret Kaine

  ‘There’s no need, honestly.’ Theo reached to take her hand for a moment. ‘But I did miss making love to you last night.’

  ‘I’ll make it up to you, I promise.’

  ‘Darling, I’m teasing you. Trying to distract you. Anyway, it’s time to go back for luncheon. And one of the footmen mentioned Cook is making an apple pie.’

  ‘Honestly, you men and your stomachs.’

  ‘It’s the way to a man’s heart …’

  ‘Perhaps I’d better learn to cook, then.’

  ‘I like you just the way you are.’ Theo laughed as Deborah blew him a kiss.

  Yet again the afternoon dragged on, until at last the time arrived. Theo had gone up to the nursery and found in a cupboard a small box of lead soldiers, their uniforms still brightly coloured.

  ‘The perfect excuse to go along to the stables again,’ he said, when he brought them down to show her.

  Deborah’s heart was racing as they made their way there. She knew there were going to be huge decisions to make, but kept pushing them away, not wanting to face the obstacles that lay ahead. Her mind was still reeling with joy that the love she and Philippe had shared would live on in their son. Yet if she had never met and married Theo, she might always have thought her baby had died.

  And so her expectations were high as they reached the stable yard. Her eager glance around didn’t see him, but he was probably inside one of the stalls.

  Theo called out to Harry, ‘Good afternoon, glad the rain has cleared up. I have something to give that boy, Robbie, is it? My wife has taken a liking to him.’

  ‘Aye, he’s a good lad. But I’m afraid you’re out of luck, sir.’

  ‘He isn’t here?’

  Deborah caught her breath. Was he unwell?

  ‘Nor will be again,’ Harry said. ‘I believe he’s gone to live somewhere else.’

  Deborah stared at him in shocked disbelief. It couldn’t be true, where would he go, and why? Her feeling of loss was like a physical pain.

  Theo’s tone was casual. ‘And the laundress, too?’

  Harry shook his head. ‘No, she’s got a sick relative in the village. That’s why she moved here in the first place.’

  Deborah was stunned, unable even to think. Theo took her arm, his slight pressure warning her not to query further.

  ‘Thanks, Harry,’ he said. ‘If you know of anyone who would like some toy soldiers, let me know.’

  ‘I will, sir, and thank you.’

  They walked back to the house in heavy silence. As Theo’s father had gone to visit an old friend, the drawing room was thankfully empty.

  Stricken, Deborah slumped onto the sofa. Theo went to sit beside her, putting his arm around her shoulders. ‘Don’t worry, darling. We’ll find him.’

  Her voice was tremulous. ‘How? Why has he been moved?’

  ‘Because someone is desperate that you and he don’t come into contact.’ His face was grim. ‘Only he’s too late.’

  ‘But who?’ Theo saw her eyes widen, as realisation dawned. The name seemed to hover on her lips and at last she whispered, ‘You think that Gerard …?’

  ‘Much that it pains me to think he could betray his own sister, I can’t think of any other explanation.’ Theo related his theory that Waters had blackmailed him. ‘He may not have been complicit in the scheme right from the beginning, maybe he did intend your baby to be adopted. But when he was born …’

  ‘I do remember that was the only time I saw her expression soften. When she held him in her arms, she looked at him with such tenderness …’

  ‘Do you think her capable of it? Blackmail, I mean?’

  Deborah brushed away threatening tears. ‘If she can steal a baby, she’s capable of anything.’

  Theo was silent for a moment. ‘The boy’s disappearance has changed everything. We don’t have time for a private investigator now, we’ll have to act ourselves.’

  ‘What about the laundress? Could she help?’

  ‘Too risky, it would reveal our interest, arouse curiosity. I’m convinced Gerard holds the key to all this.’ Theo gazed into her worried eyes. ‘Do you trust me?’

  ‘But of course.’

  He leant to briefly kiss her. ‘Then leave it to me. I’ll get the truth out of him, I promise you.’

  * * *

  Deborah was all for leaving for London immediately, but Theo dissuaded her, pointing out that they were dining with Archie and Jennifer Manston the following evening. ‘They have invited several of their friends to meet you and my father is coming with us. I don’t see how we can let them down.’

  She stared at him. Surely it was more important for Theo to go to Grosvenor Square? ‘They will find me poor company, I’m afraid.’

  ‘No, they won’t, darling. You’ll look beautiful as always, and your natural poise and confidence will carry you through.’

  ‘But we’ll be able to leave on Sunday?’ Her voice was sharp.

  He shook his head. ‘No, I think we should act as if everything is normal. Wherever Robbie has been taken, he’ll be there now. Another day won’t make any difference.’

  Deborah drew a deep breath and asked, ‘And if we find him, Theo, what then?’

  Theo hesitated. ‘Let’s cross one bridge at a time.’

  On Monday morning, they said goodbye to Theo’s father, and set off to drive back to London. By mutual consent, any more talk of Robbie was out of bounds.

  ‘At least for the journey,’ Theo said. ‘I need to distance myself from the issue until I confront Gerard tomorrow. That’s what I do when I have a major speech to make in the House. It keeps the salient points and my strategy clear in my mind.’

  For her own part, Deborah was desperate to stop her ever-circling thoughts about her young son. And so she forced herself to focus on their new house, imagining how the redecoration would look when they returned. And she did manage to distract herself, but only for some of the time. Her son was missing! Now that she knew he was alive, he was her responsibility. She glanced sideways at Theo, feeling guilty that she’d burdened him with all this. After all, they had only recently returned from their honeymoon, and he deserved a happy new wife not an overwrought one. But there would be no more crying. She had rediscovered her core of steel. The same one that had sustained her in 1918 when she’d lost the three people she loved most in the world. This time, Deborah thought, that won’t happen. I can’t lose my little boy again!

  Theo wasted no time the following morning. His policy had always been to face a problem head-on. And so, at what he judged an optimum time, midway through the morning, he set off for Grosvenor Square. He didn’t telephone beforehand, wishing to catch Gerard unprepared. Any military man would advise that a surprise attack gave the advantage.

  When the door was answered, he stepped inside. ‘Good morning, Fulton. I would like to see my brother-in-law. Is he at home?’

  ‘The Earl is in his study, sir.’

  Theo passed over his hat. ‘No need to announce me, I know my way.’ He strode along the hall, tapped, and taking a deep breath, opened the wide, mahogany door.

  ‘Good morning! Not too busy, I hope?’

  Gerard glanced up from behind his desk. ‘Theo! I thought you were in Wiltshire.’

  ‘And so I was. We got back late yesterday afternoon.’

  Gerard’s expression became wary. ‘A good visit, I hope.’

  ‘An illuminating one.’ Theo indicated the leather chairs on either side of the fireplace. ‘May we talk?’

  Frowning, Gerard rose and slowly came to join him. ‘Of course. Can I offer you any refreshment?’

  Theo shook his head. ‘I haven’t come here for a social call.’ He looked at the other man, noting again his cold eyes and thin lips. He had always considered that Deborah’s brother was not a man he would choose as a personal friend.

  ‘So, what is it you wish to discuss?’

  ‘It concerns Deborah. As we both know, Gerard, she was previously engaged to a certain French li
eutenant, who was killed at Amiens. Also, that she found herself pregnant and subsequently gave birth to a baby boy.’

  Gerard’s eyes flashed with anger. ‘I did not give her permission to reveal all this.’

  ‘My wife is a person in her own right, Gerard. It was her decision to make, not yours.’

  ‘Then I trust you will respect that confidence? I would not wish our family name to be tainted by scandal.’ Gerard paused. ‘But then, I would imagine that in your own interests, you too would hardly wish it to be known.’

  Theo nodded. ‘That is true.’

  ‘And the point of your unexpected visit is? Come on, Field. I’m a busy man.’

  ‘As am I. It is just that when visiting my father’s stables, Deborah came across a seven-year-old boy, ostensibly the nephew of the laundress. She came back to the house in bewilderment, to tell me that this child bore a strong resemblance to the late Lieutenant Lapierre.’

  Gerard stiffened. ‘Really? These coincidences do happen sometimes.’

  ‘My thoughts exactly,’ Theo said smoothly and saw Gerard relax.

  ‘But only at first. Because the next time she saw him, Deborah became even more certain of the resemblance. She asked him two questions. Would you like to know what those questions were?’ Theo was trying to keep his tone even.

  ‘I can’t see what relevance—’

  ‘The first was to ask his age. Which he gave as seven. Exactly the age that Deborah’s son would have been if he’d lived. Strange that, don’t you agree?

  ‘Deborah’s second question, was to ask his last name.’ Theo paused. ‘He said it was Waters. Now, wasn’t that the name of the maid you sent to Wales with Deborah? The only person present at the birth?’

  Gerard shrugged. ‘Was that the woman’s name? I cannot recall.’

  ‘My wife,’ Theo said, ‘is now convinced that she was lied to when she was told her baby had died. That the maid, Waters, stole him, and that this boy is actually her own son.’

  ‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, that is pure hysteria,’ Gerard snapped. ‘We all know that women are emotional creatures.’

  Theo’s dislike of the man was increasing with every minute. ‘Rather a generalisation, don’t you think? I think that is exactly what did happen.’

  ‘Then this is an appalling situation. I bear no responsibility for it, Field, believe me.’

  ‘Don’t you, Gerard? Who else but yourself could have financed this woman? She could hardly have carried out her crime without help. I would remind you that assisting an abduction is a criminal offence, carrying with it a lengthy prison sentence.’

  ‘Nobody would believe such a preposterous assumption.’

  Theo said slowly, ‘I think Scotland Yard would listen to an MP, don’t you?’

  ‘And why, may I ask, would I become involved in this woman’s scheme?’

  ‘Blackmail.’ The word hung in the air between them.

  ‘I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.’ But now Theo could detect a note of desperation in his voice.

  ‘What if Waters had always wanted a child? She finds herself in possession of a secret you went to great lengths to conceal from the outside world. With a young mother who is isolated. And a brother obsessed with his family’s good name. Blackmail, Gerard. A threat to reveal what she knows. Or she takes the baby.’

  ‘That’s all fiction, and you know it.’

  ‘Do I? Isn’t it a brother’s duty to protect his sister? Whereas you lied to her, told her the baby had died. Can’t you imagine her anguish?’

  Gerard glared at him. ‘You have no proof of any of this.’

  Theo nodded. ‘You are right. I haven’t. But I could easily hire a private detective to uncover the evidence.’

  For a moment they sat in silence, then Gerard gave a thin smile. ‘You would never bring this to the notice of the authorities. Because it would mean everyone knowing that you’d been stupid enough to marry not only a fallen woman, but one who’d given birth to a bastard. How would that affect your political career?’

  Theo managed to resist the urge to punch Gerard in the face.

  He leant forward. ‘You are forgetting Deborah. Have you any idea of the emotional upheaval she’s suffered? She’s a strong-minded woman, as you well know. I’d have no power to prevent her going herself to Scotland Yard. And believe me, she will. She’s lost her child once, she has no intention of losing him again.’

  Gerard bristled. ‘She would never do that to me, to the Claremont name.’

  Theo waited a moment, then said, ‘Did I mention the boy has disappeared? Suddenly been taken away? And not by the woman who was looking after him.’ He looked directly at the man opposite. ‘Judging by the ferocity of your sister’s feelings, you need to tell us where he is. Otherwise, that is exactly what she will do.’

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  While Gerard had refused to reveal Robbie’s present whereabouts, he had grimly agreed to Theo’s demand that the boy should be returned to the laundress at Felchurch.

  ‘But don’t forget,’ Theo reminded Deborah that night, ‘he did warn it could take a little time.’

  ‘At least we will know where he is.’ Deborah raised Theo’s hand to her lips and kissed it. ‘You’re my Sir Galahad, darling.’

  He smiled at her. ‘I’m afraid I failed to ride to Grosvenor Square on a white charger.’

  She turned to him in their new luxurious four-poster. ‘Well, you’re my knight in shining armour, anyway.’ Deborah said softly, ‘And don’t you think it’s time we recaptured the magic of our honeymoon?’

  He reached over to take her in his arms. ‘My own thoughts exactly.’

  Ten days later in Battersea, Evan Morgan was again the main speaker. Seated on the platform before being introduced, he was scanning the packed hall for one particular face. And as he hoped, the Colonel’s niece was seated near to the front, her red hair covered by the customary shawl. As she looked up at him, they exchanged a swift smile. Geraldine would, he knew, not only analyse his words, but frankly express her opinion when she next came to visit her uncle. And these visits, as his employer had recently commented, were becoming far more frequent. Evan had tried to convince himself that this was because of her interest in the model railway, but instinctively knew that wasn’t strictly true. There had been too many covert glances between them, an exchange of the silent messages only passed between people attracted to each other. And inwardly he groaned. Yet again he was attracted to someone out of his class.

  And then Evan was being announced, and with his message crystal clear in his mind, began to speak about the continuing plight of the miners and other social injustices. His commanding voice rang out with sincerity and, on drawing to a close, the audience gave him a standing ovation.

  ‘Well done, comrade,’ said one of the union officials as he left the stage. Evan lingered to speak for several moments with other union members, and then said, ‘I’ll be glad of a pint, I know that.’

  ‘Then please allow me to buy you one.’ Not recognising the voice, Evan turned to see a well-dressed middle-aged man smiling at him. ‘Sorry, I’d better introduce myself. Andrew Wilshaw, Labour MP.’ He shook Evan’s hand. ‘It was a privilege to listen to you. Young man, you and I need to talk. How about we go for that pint you mentioned?’

  Within fifteen minutes the two men were sitting in the lounge of a nearby pub. With pints of foaming ale before them, both took a long sip. Evan, feeling rather mystified, looked across the small oak table. ‘What constituency do you represent, Mr Wilshaw?’

  At the mention of one in the north of England, Evan gave a grim smile. ‘So you’ll have witnessed much hardship, then.’

  ‘Unfortunately, I have. And life doesn’t get any better up there.’ He took another sip of beer. ‘It was a fellow MP, Theodore Field, who advised me to come and listen to you, and I’m glad I did. He’s a man I have a lot respect for, even if he is a Conservative.’

  Evan could only stare at him in disbelief. He knew
the name, of course he did. Deborah had married him. And didn’t she say that he’d accompanied her to hear him speak at Battersea, just before the General Strike?

  ‘I wonder, Evan – you don’t mind my calling you, Evan?’

  ‘Of course not.’

  ‘Would you mind if I quizzed you a bit?’

  ‘Please go ahead.’

  A comprehensive list of questions followed, by the end of which Evan had related every fact about his background, army career, and political leanings, ending with a description of his employment at the Colonel’s house.

  The MP frowned. ‘That sounds rather below your capabilities, if you don’t mind my saying so.’

  Evan spoke slowly. ‘Finding a job is more difficult than it’s ever been. I’d used up all my savings and needed to earn money. But I’ve never seen it as a permanent position.’

  ‘Well, I think I can do better than that. The Labour Party needs men like you, Evan Morgan. And in the House of Commons. But a year or so of parliamentary experience would be useful before putting yourself forward to stand. As it happens, I’m able to help you, because one of my assistants is leaving in a couple of months. How would you feel about replacing him?’

  Evan was stunned. To have the prospect of becoming an MP, of representing a constituency and the chance to influence government policies?

  His reaction was instant. ‘Full of enthusiasm!’

  ‘Excellent. That’s what I like to see, fire in a man’s eyes. I think we shall do very well together. And I’m sure the pay will be better than your current salary.’ He felt in the top pocket of his jacket and took out a small notebook. ‘Give me your address and I’ll write to you.’ Minutes later, he drained his glass and stood up. ‘A useful evening for both of us, I think.’

  Evan rose and the two men shook hands. ‘Thank you, sir.’ Liking his straightforward manner, he watched the stocky figure leave. Then to celebrate he went to the bar and ordered another pint.

  Carrying his glass back to the table, Evan tried to sort out his thoughts, excitement racing through his veins. For his name to come to the attention of someone with influence was beyond his wildest dreams. He would always be grateful for Deborah’s thoughtfulness. And to think it all began with him rescuing her flyaway hat.