‘I hope you read the nice parts not the bloodthirsty ones.’
‘No! I’m a bloody nervous wreck as it is without reading the Old Testament,’ said Alice, a catch in her voice. ‘I shouldn’t be swearing,’ she muttered.
‘Who cares? You’re upset,’ said Hannah soothingly. ‘But you’ll soon be fine. I wonder if he’ll bring oil and anoint you.’
‘They only did that to the sick in the Bible or when they were being anointed as God’s servants,’ murmured Alice, absently stroking her bump. ‘I think they did it to the King at his coronation, too.’ She looked at Hannah. ‘Did you read in the newspaper that he hasn’t been well?’
Hannah nodded. ‘He’s getting on, isn’t he? And he’s been a bit of a lad. Never gone short, has he? The best of everything. Women, wine, cigars and good food. I forget how many pheasants they said he shot when he came and stayed at Eaton Hall last. Anyway, let’s change the subject. Has Tilly had a piano lesson yet?’
Alice shook her head. ‘Tomorrow. I wanted to get this out of the way first.’
‘Makes sense. Then you can put it all behind you and look forward to the birth of the baby.’ Hannah removed the crumpet and went over to the table. ‘As soon as I’ve eaten this, we’d best go to the front of the house. We don’t want to miss the Reverend when he comes calling, do we?’
* * *
Eudora stood on her balcony, overlooking the Dee, letting the cold air cool her heated face. She did not want to believe she had seen what she had just seen but surely her eyes had not deceived her. She might be past her fiftieth birthday but there wasn’t anything wrong with her sight. The figure in the flowing black cloak had clearly been someone she had clashed swords with before. A man of the cloth, he strode up the path to the Bennetts’ house as if he knew exactly where he was going. They must have called him in to exorcise that room.
She swore under her breath, knowing it would be pointless getting in there now. Earlier, she had seen Hannah crossing the bridge and had hoped she was coming to call on her, but it was obvious that she must have come to visit Alice. What a pity Hannah had not seen fit to take up her offer of help. ‘Still, it was never too late,’ she murmured, now noticing Emma crossing the bridge in her direction. Knowing she did not have a moment to waste, Eudora hurried into the drawing room.
* * *
‘So how do you feel now?’ asked Hannah, perching on the piano stool and gazing at Alice. Despite the time of day they were sipping sherry.
‘Better,’ said Alice, smiling as she put the photograph taken of Seb and herself in a studio on Liverpool’s Church Street after their wedding on the top of the piano. ’I definitely felt something happen when he placed his hands on my head. The fear’s gone. I feel all peaceful inside. It makes me wonder perhaps if my father had been prepared to accept such help, instead of going to Mrs Black, we’d have had a different kind of life; Mam might have still been alive for a start.’ She paused and then said softly, ‘Although, in a way I suppose she’s always with me.’
‘You probably wouldn’t have met Seb and be living here if it wasn’t for your dad consulting Mrs Black,’ said Hannah, lifting the piano lid and pressing a couple of keys.
Alice said thoughtfully, ‘That’s true. But think how different your life might have been. Bert might never have…’
‘It’s no use us thinking like that,’ said Hannah firmly. ‘The past is the past and no amount of hoping and wishing will change it. He’s gone, thank God, so let’s not think about him.’ She closed the piano lid and stood up. ‘What next?’
Alice started. ‘In what way?’
‘This room. Are you going to redecorate? Put yours and Seb’s stamp on it? Make it a real family room to relax in?’
Alice drained her sherry glass and took Hannah’s place on the piano stool. ‘I’ll see what Seb says. He’ll probably agree because he likes this room. It’s such a nice shape and gets the sun most of the day.’ She hesitated and then blurted out,’You’ve never said how you really feel about me having the baby! So how do you? Truthfully!’
Hannah was taken aback by the suddenness of the question. ‘I thought I had. I can’t wait for him to be born and see whether he has your red hair or Seb’s black curls.’
‘Honest?’
Hannah smiled. ‘Haven’t I just said so? And Kenny feels the same.’ As soon as the words were out she knew that she was lying. Her husband had never spoken to her about how he felt about his expected niece or nephew. Yet there was no doubt in her mind, he would ache with longing when he held the child in his arms. How could she be so mean as to withhold from him that which he so wanted? She tossed off the remaining sherry and said, ‘I’d best be going. You’ll be alright on your own?’
Alice looked relieved. ‘Mary and Cook will be back soon. And thanks for coming.’ She kissed Hannah’s cheek and saw her out.
Feeling depressed because she had not only lied to Alice but was filled with guilt about her treatment of her husband, Hannah walked down the path, past the open gate and then hesitated before turning in the direction of Mrs Black’s house. She banged the knocker and almost immediately the door was opened by Emma in her outdoor clothes.
‘There’s a coincidence,’ said the younger woman. ‘I was just about to pop along to the Bennetts’ and see if you were there. Mrs Black spotted you on the bridge and wanted me to ask if you’d like to call on her. She’s been expecting you to do so since Boxing Day.’
‘I don’t know why. I didn’t say I’d come,’ said Hannah, her tone slightly aggressive.
‘You’re here now.’
Hannah shrugged and fiddled with a strand of her hair. ‘Guilt! Although, my coming here probably won’t do me any good.’
Emma smiled. ‘I hope it does. You and Kenny could do with a break.’
Hannah gave her a measuring look. ‘You like Kenny, don’t you?’
‘Of course, I do. Why ask? He’s a good man.’
‘But you love David?’
Emma looked amused. ‘The questions you ask! I think I love him… at least I fancy him like mad. So are you coming in or not?’
Hannah stepped over the threshold and followed Emma upstairs, wondering, if Mrs Black had spotted her on the bridge, whether she had also seen the Reverend? Emma saw her to the drawing room, announced her and then went to her room.
Eudora told Hannah to sit by the fire and poured out two glasses of sherry. Having handed her visitor a glass, Eudora sat down and asked Hannah straight out what the Reverend had been doing at the house.
‘Bringing peace,’ said Hannah, a tiny smile playing round her mouth.
‘A positive result then?’ Eudora could not help but sound a little disappointed.
‘Definitely. Alice is no longer frightened, the lucky duck!’
Eudora’s expression changed and she stared at her thoughtfully. ‘You are, though. So why did you not ask for prayer and the laying on of hands?’
Hannah said ruefully, ‘I knew it wouldn’t work for me. Mine isn’t a spiritual matter. I’m just a coward.’ She took a sip of the sherry. ‘I’m dishonest, too.’
‘I’m sure that’s not true, dear,’ said Eudora, sounding surprised.
‘Oh, it is!’ Hannah’s voice was low. ‘Kenny believes I don’t want to make babies because of what Bert did… and that used to be the truth. But if I’m honest, there’s always been part of me that doesn’t want to have children. I’m terrified of childbirth.’
Eudora stared into Hannah’s miserable face. ‘You surprise me, Hannah,’ she said crossly. ‘You’re no different from thousands of women. No, probably millions! It’s natural to fear suffering and possible death.’
‘Alice isn’t scared!’
‘Has she told you that?’
‘No. She never mentions it.’
‘But her mother died in childbirth, so surely she can’t have forgotten it?’ said Eudora firmly.
’I haven’t forgotten it!’ Hannah prodded her chest with a finger. ‘How could I? Her death
changed my life forever.’
Eudora clicked her tongue against her teeth and said impatiently, ‘It changed several lives, dear, including mine. But your mother… she has given birth how many times?’
‘Five, no more than that… I think she lost two children.’
‘There you are then. Your mother gave birth seven times and she survived. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t either.’
‘I’ve thought of that and I’m still scared.’ Hannah gulped down the rest of the sherry.
‘And you’ll carry on being so… even if you never have children… and there’s no guarantee you will have. So isn’t it better to accept that we all have our fears and have to live with them.’ Eudora’s dark eyes were compassionate. ‘What we mustn’t do is allow them to cripple our spirit and spoil the happiness that could be ours. I’m sure Alice has just put aside her fear of childbirth until she has to face up to it… which she will because she knows there is no getting out of it.’
‘I’m sure you’re right,’ said Hannah, a flush on her cheeks, ‘but… ‘
‘No buts, dear! Action!’ Eudora hit the arm of her chair with her fist and leaned towards her. ‘Spit in the eye of that demon fear and make your husband and yourself happy. You love him and you’ll carry on being miserable if you don’t do what you know in your heart is best for you both.’
Hannah felt uplifted, as if she had been given marching orders and had to obey them. ‘I’ll do that.’
‘Of course you will, dear… you’re a sensible young woman.’
‘Is there anything I can do for you?’
‘You already have, dear.’ Eudora beamed at her.
Hannah couldn’t help wondering just what she had done that had been of help to Mrs Black. But there was no time to think about that now, she had to get home. She was halfway down the stairs when Emma’s voice stopped her. She turned her head and saw her leaning over the banister rail with a copy of Votes for Women in her hand. ‘Is everything OK?’ asked Emma.
‘Yes. I’m going home.’
‘Have you seen the latest issue of Votes for Women?’
Hannah nodded, and carried on downstairs.
Emma followed her. ‘Did you read about Lady Constance Lytton being arrested disguised as a common woman and ending up being given hard labour and force-fed in Liverpool’s Walton prison?’
‘I didn’t read it all.’ Hannah did not want to talk about it now. She wanted to get home to Kenny, hoping this lunch time they would have the house to themselves as Seb was bound to go home to see how Alice had got on with the Reverend.
‘So you never read that not only Mrs Stone was imprisoned but so was Seb’s mother!’
Hannah gasped. ‘You’re joking!’
Emma shook her head. ‘Don’t ask me how she got involved in the Cause. I never knew she was interested.’
‘As far as I know she isn’t.’
‘Interestingly they gave their addresses.’
Hannah paused in the act of opening the front door. ‘I left my copy with Alice. I wonder if she’ll notice.’
Emma nodded. ‘I wonder.’
‘Anyway, I must go,’ said Hannah in a vague voice. ‘I’ll talk to you again.’ She hurried down the path.
Hannah let herself into the house, bolted the door and checked that the room at the front, which served as an office, was empty. Unbuttoning her coat on the move, she hurried into the kitchen. Kenny was standing in front of the fireplace, stirring the pan of ham bone and lentil soup she had left ready for lunch on the hob.
He glanced at her and immediately said, ‘You’ve got a sparkle in your eye. Things must have gone okay.’
Hannah had to think for a moment about what he meant because her mind was so concentrated on what she was planning to do. ‘Yes. Alice is no longer frightened and is talking about redecorating the drawing room.’ She dropped her coat on the back of a chair and went over to him. ‘Leave that. Let’s go to bed,’ she said, placing a hand on his arm.
The ladle slipped from his fingers into the pan, splattering his skin with hot liquid. Swiftly she lifted his hand and licked off the soup before reaching up and drawing down his head towards hers. She kissed him. His lips were warm but hers were still chilled from being in the fresh air despite having licked the soup from his fingers. She held the kiss until she was breathless and had to break off to gulp in air.
‘What was that for?’ he asked, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
‘Let’s go upstairs now,’ she said, taking hold of his hand.
‘What’s got into you?’ demanded Kenny, allowing himself to be drawn towards the staircase.
‘Don’t ask questions. This is the time for action.’
He opened his mouth and then shut it again, deciding he was not going to waste time insisting on the reason for why she was doing this. After all, they might get to the bedroom and it would be the same old story. She would allow him so far and no further.
Because she was in such a rush, he was almost treading on her heels as they climbed the stairs. It was difficult to ignore the pain in his foot but the swell of her bottom brushing tantalisingly against him aroused him. For a fraction of a second she paused and to his surprise, giggled, but then she carried on upstairs as if nothing had happened. For a moment he wondered if she and Alice had been at the sherry bottle. There had certainly been a sweetness on her breath.
She opened the bedroom door and drew him inside and then she seemed to lose her impetus because she moved no further. ‘Hannah, please, don’t change your mind now,’ he pleaded.
She lifted her head and her smile almost dazzled him. ‘I should have thought about it being cold in this room… so definitely not here!’ Releasing his hand she went over to the bed and dragged off the cotton bedcover. ‘Sorry, love, for dragging you up here, only to make you go down again.’ She bundled the bedcover under her arm and brushing past him left the room.
He followed her downstairs as if in a daze and watched her fling open the bedcover and throw it over the rag rug. Then she drew the curtains and turned towards him. ‘It’ll be different here,’ she said in a low voice as she began to undo the buttons on the bodice of her woollen dress.
Kenny could only stare at her as she dragged the dress down over her hips and watched it fall in a swirl of navy blue on the linoleum. She stood in her camisole and the cotton underskirt she had worn beneath her wedding gown. She raised her eyebrows. ‘We haven’t got all day,’ she said briskly.
Kenny shook his head as if to clear it and began to unbutton his waistcoat, then his shirt. He hung them over the back of a chair as Hannah removed her undergarments. Fascinated by the gleam of the firelight on her soft white skin, he could not take his eyes off her. Suddenly he was aware that she was humming beneath her breath. For an instant he couldn’t work out the tune, then he realised it was ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’. He did not know what to make of that as he drank in the vision of his wife in the firelight. She stopped humming as he moved towards her, and she took several paces forward to meet him. Then they were in each other’s arms and kissing hungrily, and this time there was no stopping him as they made passionate love. Afterwards, saturated with pleasure, Hannah wondered why no one had ever told her making babies could be so good.
Chapter Twenty
February, 1910
‘Have you read this?’
‘Read what?’ asked Alice, lifting her head and glancing across the fireplace at Seb, who was sprawled in the other armchair.
‘This copy of Votes for Women. I found it under the cushion.’
She shook her head as she bit off the thread and decided to embroider blue flowers on the yoke of the baby-sized cream flannelette night gown in her lap. ‘It must be the one Hanny brought a while ago.’
‘There’s an article by Lady Constance Lytton. She was released from Walton jail after being force-fed whilst pretending to be a commoner. They sentenced her to hard labour, not realising who she was and that she had a heart cond
ition.’
‘It’s a wonder it didn’t kill her,’ murmured Alice, reaching for her sewing box on the floor. ‘I suppose the heart condition reminded you of Victoria.’
He nodded. ‘It’s what’s in the rest of the article that really caught my eye. It mentions a Mrs Gabrielle Bennett being imprisoned and it gives an address in Liverpool.’
Alice’s head jerked up, her green eyes startled. ‘Are you sure they haven’t made a mistake? How did she get involved with the Suffragette movement?’
He shook his head. ‘Don’t ask me! But it’s here in black and white. And how many Gabrielle Bennetts could there be in this part of the world?’
‘You’re not thinking what I think you’re thinking?’
‘Of course I am!’ He stared moodily into the fire. ‘I’ve had time to get over the upset now. I miss Ma… and what with us having the baby, I know she’ll be over the moon. If she came back here, she’ll be a help to you when the baby arrives.’
Alice’s heart sank. ‘I can understand how you feel, Seb, but…’ She paused, struggling to find the right words to express how she felt without sounding as if she was completely against having his mother living here.
He didn’t let her finish. ‘I know you and Ma didn’t always see eye to eye,’ he said, getting up and coming over to sit on the arm of her chair. He put his arm round her.
Alice tried not to pull a face. ‘We got on OK at times but she’s such a strong personality and I can see me either turning into a dormouse or us clashing.’
‘I’ll tell her that you’re the mistress here now and your word goes.’ He dropped a kiss on her hair and hugged her. ‘I’ll write asking her to call on us. Don’t want to give her too much of a shock by arriving unexpectedly on her doorstep.’
She flashed him a smile but, inwardly, she was dismayed and could only pray that her mother-in-law would turn down Seb’s offer to come home. Then again who was to say that Gabrielle hadn’t been praying for this moment for a long time?
* * *
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