How had the woman been reduced to such a state? she wondered. But then, she thought, if she had treated any other children as cruelly as she had once treated her, she would not have lasted long as a nanny to anyone’s offspring. How the mighty were fallen.
‘So, it’s Miss High-an-Mighty Suzanne all grown up, is it?’ The woman took a swig from the bottle, swaying unsteadily on her feet. ‘It were your father brought me to this state, kicking me out as he did!’
Susie bit her lip as the woman continued to glare at her, but instead of feeling that she had got her comeuppance, a wave of pity swept through her.
‘Do you have somewhere to live?’ she asked tentatively.
‘Oh yes, indeed I do; in a freezing, filthy garret with rats for company,’ Agatha Deverell sneered. ‘But what would you care?’ At odds with her appearance her voice was still cultured, which to Susie made it all the sadder.
Susie took a deep breath, then extracting a large number of the bank notes Matthew had given her from her bag she pressed them into Agatha’s cold hand. ‘Go and get yourself a hot meal and some warm clothes,’ she said quietly and, turning about, she left the woman staring after her open-mouthed.
Agatha blinked down at the notes gleefully then with a chuckle she headed for the nearest gin house. Some folks never learn, she thought to herself, as she tucked the money down the front of her grimy gown, and without a word of thanks she went on her way. The way she saw it, she had no need to thank the little bitch. It was her fault she had lost her cosy position in her father’s house in the first place. And what chance had she had of gaining another position when her snooty father had refused to give her a reference?
Seeing her old nanny had brought back painful memories of Susie’s childhood and her adopted mother, and suddenly she didn’t feel like shopping anymore; so she entered the first tea shop she came to, ordered a pot of tea and took a seat in the corner. Over the years, she had often wondered what had become of Miss Deverell and now she knew. She supposed she shouldn’t feel any pity for the woman after the way she had treated her, and yet she did.
But it was thoughts of Alicia that had her blinking back the tears. She had never been able to think of her as her mother, but for all that she had tended her in her final days and the woman had finally softened towards her. It was sad, but Susie was very aware that Alicia had soon tired of being a mother and that she had been little more than a doll for the woman to parade in front of her visitors.
But she had grown very fond of Matthew, who had never shown her anything but kindness since the day she had entered his house. She suspected that in the final years, her adopted parents’ marriage had not been quite as close as Alicia had tried to make out. She had been very beautiful but thoroughly spoiled by both her parents and her husband, and in the end, she sensed that Matthew had grown tired of pandering to her every whim. Even so, he had made sure that she had the best medical care, and between them she hoped they had made Alicia’s final days as happy as they could be.
As they so often did, her thoughts turned to her real family – as she always thought of them. Not a day went by when she didn’t miss them and wonder what had become of them. Where were they all now? Opal and Charlie would be all grown up, and little Jack would be soon too. She supposed she would never know what had happened to them. Too much time had gone by to begin a search for them, but she would hold each of them in her heart until the day she died.
When she arrived home less than an hour later, Matthew was just coming out of his study and he raised an eyebrow in surprise. ‘That was quick. When your mother went shopping, it was rare to see her for the rest of the day.’
Susie smiled as she removed her gloves and bonnet and handed them to the maid. ‘I saw Miss Deverell, my old nanny. She looks like she lives on the streets now and after that I didn’t feel much like shopping.’
Matthew pursed his lips. The woman didn’t deserve any better, but he knew how soft-hearted Susie was. She had barely stepped out of the house since Alicia had died, and he sensed that now she no longer had her to care for she was finding that she had a lot of spare time on her hands.
‘I tell you what, why don’t I arrange a little holiday at the coast for us both? It would do us both the power of good to get away for a time.’
Susie smiled, really smiled for the first time in ages. ‘That would be nice, but are you sure you don’t have to work? And we are supposed to be in mourning.’
‘I can rearrange my work schedule, and as for the mourning period, no one is going to know we’ve had a bereavement if we don’t tell them, are they?’ he assured her, taking her arm and leading her into the drawing room to discuss where they might want to go.
Chapter Forty-Nine
‘Please, ma’am, could you spare me a minute? I’d like a private word.’
Mrs King laid aside the book she was reading – The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. ‘Of course, Eve, come in.’ She was sitting in her favourite chair by the window where she could enjoy the late autumn sunshine streaming through the window.
Eve softly closed the door behind her and, licking her lips nervously, she walked towards her mistress. ‘Forgive me if it seems that I’m interferin’,’ she began hesitantly. ‘But I’m gettin’ gravely concerned about the young mistress. She’s barely set foot out o’ the house since she came back to live here, an’ she seems so low, but I reckon I’ve come up with an idea that might cheer her up a bit.’
‘Oh yes, go on.’ Mrs King narrowed her eyes.
‘Well, it’s like this . . .’ Eve told the older woman of her plan and when she was done Mrs King frowned. ‘Hm, this could be just the tonic she needs. I quite agree with you; she does seem very down and she’s so thin I’m sure that one good puff of wind would blow her away. I have no idea why she should be so ashamed and hide herself away as she does. It wasn’t her that did wrong, it was my son.’ She chewed on her lip thoughtfully for a moment and finally nodded. ‘Go ahead with your idea. I can’t say as it’s something I particularly look forward to but if it cheers her up, I dare say I shall be able to bear it.’
‘Oh, thank you, ma’am.’ Eve looked delighted. ‘I’ll go and speak to Will about it straightaway.’ And with that she bobbed her knee and fairly skipped from the room.
Later that evening, as the two women were having dinner, Mrs King told Opal, ‘You might like to visit the kitchen when you’ve finished your meal. I believe there’s a surprise waiting for you in there.’
‘A surprise . . . for me?’ Opal looked shocked. ‘What sort of surprise? It isn’t my birthday.’
Mrs King smiled. ‘If I told you what it was it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it? Now go on, get off and find out for yourself.’
Curious, Opal dabbed her lips with the fine lawn napkin and headed for the door. She could hear laughter coming from the kitchen but nothing could have prepared her for what happened when she opened the door. A large bundle of fluff with his tail wagging furiously suddenly came bounding towards her and leaped at her so enthusiastically that he almost knocked her off her feet.
‘Oh, Charlie!’ She was delighted to see him and laughed as he licked every inch of her he could reach. ‘Have you brought him to see me, Will?’ she asked as she dropped to her knees to give him a hug.
Will and Eve were grinning from ear to ear. ‘Actually, we’ve done better than that,’ Eve said. ‘Charlie has come here to live . . . if you still want him, that is? An’ don’t look so worried. The mistress knows all about it an’ has given her permission for him to stay. We thought it might cheer you up.’ And judging by her young mistress’s smiling face it clearly had.
‘Oh . . . I can’t believe it!’ Happy tears were rolling down Opal’s pale cheeks. ‘And my mother-in-law really doesn’t mind?’
Eve giggled. ‘To be honest, I don’t think she’d have chose to ’ave a dog in the house, but she agreed you needed somethin’ to get you out an’ about again an’ now Charlie boy’s here you’ll have to take him
for his walks. The rest of us have got enough to do as it is.’
‘Oh, I’ll do that, all right, won’t we, boy?’
‘Yes, an’ you can see to the feedin’ of ’im an’ all,’ the cook told her with a sniff, although Opal noticed she had already provided him with a juicy bone.
Opal felt happy for the first time in months and soon after she wrapped up warmly, put Charlie on his lead and set off for a walk.
Mrs King was watching from the window as Eve served her coffee and she smiled. ‘It seems your idea was a good one,’ she commented. ‘She might get a bit of colour back in her cheeks now she’ll be getting out and about again. I dare say it will be worth having a few dog hairs about the place if it cheers her up.’
Eve beamed and nodded in agreement, feeling very pleased with herself.
Just as Eve had hoped, with Charlie’s arrival, Opal began to come out of her dark depression. Now she had a reason to get up each day and soon Charlie had everyone in the household wrapped around his paw. Even Mrs King seemed to quite like him, although she would never openly have admitted it.
‘Just be sure and keep him off the furniture,’ she would grumble, which proved to be easier said than done as Charlie made himself at home.
Before they knew it, December had rolled around and when Emma visited one day, she told Opal, ‘We’re going to have a ball on New Year’s Eve this year. You will come, won’t you?’ Seeing that Opal was about to refuse, she rushed on, ‘You have no excuse not to. Your mourning period is almost over – not that that vile man deserved anyone to mourn for him – and your mother-in-law is coming, so it would look strange if you weren’t with her. And Matthew is coming from London and quite a few people you know will be there. Oh, please say you will – for me?’
Opal looked undecided. She still found it hard to face people, but she realised that she couldn’t lock herself away forever. She even got out of the way when Mrs King had visitors, although thankfully they had seen neither hide nor hair of Esther Partridge since the news of Henry’s shame had been plastered all across the newspapers, which was one blessing at least. No doubt she was thinking herself lucky that he hadn’t married her after all.
‘I suppose I could do,’ she said uncertainly, and Emma beamed.
‘That’s decided then. I’m going to the dressmaker next week to be fitted for a new gown so you can come with me and get a new one for yourself too. I called in to make the appointment earlier on and she’s got the most gorgeous pale-gold satin that would look absolutely beautiful with your hair and eyes. I’ve got my eye on a lovely lilac colour.’
Opal smiled, knowing when she was beaten – but for all that, she suddenly found herself looking forward to it. She tried to tell herself that it had nothing to do with the fact that Emma had told her a certain gentleman would be there, but deep inside she knew she was lying. But then – her hand rose to the scar on her cheek and she frowned – would she really want Matthew to see her as she was now? With a sigh, she resigned herself to the fact that she had already given her word to go. She couldn’t back out of it now, and it was highly unlikely Matthew would remember her anyway.
Opal and Mrs King planned to spend Christmas quietly together that year, although Mrs King instructed Eve to order a Christmas tree and decorate it. To Eve’s excitement, the old lady had also given her permission to have her family for Christmas tea in the kitchen, insisting that after their Christmas lunch she and Opal could manage with a few sandwiches. And when it started to snow on Christmas Eve, Mrs King even gave Will permission to fetch the family in her carriage.
‘Why don’t you come through an’ join us?’ Eve encouraged Opal when Will set off to fetch them, but Opal shook her head.
‘Thank you, but I’d feel like I was intruding, and anyway I’m looking forward to curling up in bed with a book.’
In truth she felt neither one thing nor the other now; she wasn’t a servant, but she had nothing of her own to speak of and was living on Mrs King’s charity, a fact that went sorely against the grain. So much so, in fact, that she was thinking of suggesting to the old lady that she should look for a job. But not until the New Year; she didn’t want to spoil the holidays.
So, after taking a light tea, she retired to her room and stood gazing through the window at the snowy landscape. Although the scar on her face was the only outward sign of how close she had come to death, mentally she was still scarred and shuddered every time she thought of what Mrs Wood had tried to do to her. Her hand dropped to stroke Charlie, and as he licked her hand, she found herself thinking of his namesake. How she still missed him and wondered what had become of little Susie? Then she realised with a jolt that Susie would be sixteen now, almost a woman.
‘Come on, boy,’ she sighed, and leading the dog to the bed, they cuddled up together on the quilted bedspread. He was all she had left in the world now and it was a daunting thought.
Chapter Fifty
At last it was New Year’s Eve and Opal was alternately looking forward to the ball and dreading it, for it would be the first time she had attended such an event since before Henry’s death, almost a year before.
‘You just hold your head high and remember you have done nothing to be ashamed of,’ Emma had scolded her, when Opal had told her how nervous she felt when they’d picked up their gowns from the dressmaker the day before. The woman had done a wonderful job and Opal could hardly wait to wear hers.
In the afternoon she took a long, leisurely bath and washed her hair before sitting in front of the fire and brushing it until it gleamed. After an early tea, Eve went upstairs with her to help her get ready. She was almost as excited as Opal, and stared at the gown hanging on the wardrobe door admiringly.
‘Eeh, this is goin’ to set your hair an’ eyes off a treat,’ she breathed as she stroked the pale-golden skirts. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful gown. But come on, let’s get yer hair done.’
Opal obediently sat down, while Eve piled her long hair on top of her head before teasing it into ringlets. Next came the job of clambering into the many petticoats and undergarments and finally the gown.
‘You look like a princess,’ Eve assured her with a catch in her voice when she was finally ready and Opal sighed.
‘Hardly, with this scar on my face.’
Eve frowned at her. ‘Don’t talk so daft. You can hardly notice it now. But come along.’ She snatched up Opal’s cloak, and ushered her towards the door. ‘The mistress said she wanted a word with you in the drawin’ room before you left, so you’d best not keep her waiting. Will is round at the stables gettin’ the carriage ready so you just have a wonderful time, do yer hear me?’
‘I hear you.’ Opal grinned as she followed her from the room, wondering what Mrs King wanted to see her about. She hoped she hadn’t done anything wrong.
The old lady raised her eyebrow admiringly when she saw Opal. ‘Goodness me, I’d forgotten how pretty you could look, my dear.’ She smiled. ‘That gown suits you perfectly. But come and sit here a minute. I’ve something I want to tell you.’ She patted the seat beside her and Opal obediently sat down. ‘The thing is . . .’ Mrs King began. ‘I had my solicitor visit me yesterday, as you may be aware. The reason being I wished to change my will.’
Opal frowned; she had grown fond of her mother-in-law and hated to think of her passing away, but the old woman held her hand up to silence her when Opal opened her mouth to speak. ‘Hear me out, do. You see, it suddenly occurred to me that in my previous will I had left everything to Henry.’ Opal saw a hint of sadness behind the old woman’s eyes before she hurried on, ‘And so I have now amended it. I have no one left now apart from you, and so I wanted you to know that, when I go, you will be my sole beneficiary. The house, my money, my jewels – everything will be yours.’
‘Oh no . . .’ Opal was so shocked that tears sprang to her eyes. ‘But I can’t let you do that!’
Mrs King shrugged. ‘And who else am I supposed to leave it all to? I’m
only telling you because I know what an independent little soul you can be. And don’t worry; there are no strings attached. It will all be yours to do with as you please. Sell it, live in it, whatever you like. If you should remarry you might not wish to stay here, but it will be up to you. It’s the least I can do after the way my son treated you.’
Opal gulped. It was all so much to take in. ‘I don’t think there’s any chance of me ever marrying again . . .’ she said forcefully. She was about to say that Henry had turned her off men for life, but managed to stop herself in time. He had been Mrs King’s only son after all.
Mrs King chuckled. ‘There’s far stranger things have happened,’ she told her wisely. ‘You’re still young and beautiful, and it would be a sin for you to spend the rest of your life alone. But I wanted you to know what I’d done, so that you didn’t feel I was having you here on sufferance. So, come along, I have a feeling you’re going to be the belle of the ball.’
‘You look very nice yourself,’ Opal told her, as the old woman patted down the folds of the new mauve taffeta gown she was wearing. She looked very regal. ‘And . . . Well, thank you hardly seems adequate for what you’ve just told me.’
Mrs King waved her hand. ‘Huh! I don’t want to hear it mentioned again after this evening, and be prepared because I have no intentions of popping off just yet.’
Opal grinned as she followed her from the room, and soon they were tucked up in the back of the carriage heading for Peter and Emma’s grand house in Caldecote.
From the second the carriage turned into the drive, the night took on a magical quality for Opal. Lanterns had been strung in the trees lining the drive and with the snow softly falling it looked like a scene from one of the fairy tales she had been so fond of when she was a child. The lights were shining from the windows of the house making the snow sparkle like crushed diamonds and the instant the carriage pulled up footmen in scarlet and gold livery hurried down the steps to help the ladies alight and go into the house. Maids in tiny white aprons and lace-trimmed mop caps were dotted about with trays of champagne on silver trays, while others helped the ladies off with their cloaks.
The Winter Promise Page 36