A Dream to Share

by A Dream to Share (retail) (epub)

  Emma was cleaning the upstairs front window, thinking about David and him having to cancel the meeting arranged with Seb in a couple of days, when she noticed two women pause outside Mrs Waters’ gate. She pressed her nose against the glass to get a closer look at them. Suddenly the dark, flamboyantly dressed woman carrying a carpet bag, opened the gate and slipped through the gap. She made to close the gate on the other woman but she was too quick for her. ‘Don’t be childish, Gabrielle,’ she said, sounding exasperated.

  Emma recognised that voice and was glad that Mrs Black had said she would be out for the afternoon. Throwing down the chamois leather she raced downstairs. By the time she reached the gate where they had stood, arguing, they were out of sight. She hesitated a moment and then hurried up the path and round the back of the house. She could hear raised voices and, when she knocked on the door, there was no response. She opened the door and peeked inside.

  As if frozen, Gabrielle and Josephine Stone stood either side of the table, the former was glaring at the other, who looked outraged. Alice sat at the head of the table with her chin cupped in her hands, her eyes closed and her lips moving silently as if in prayer. Mary was putting on the kettle. Tilly was sitting on a stool with the toasting fork in her hand but her gaze was fixed on Gabrielle as if she had never seen anyone quite like her before. Emma stepped inside the kitchen and slammed the door.

  Alice’s eyes opened and she sighed. ‘Emma, how good to see you. Perhaps you can give me a hand up. We’ll go into the drawing room and Mary can serve tea there.’

  Gabrielle turned and gazed disdainfully at Emma. ‘What is she doing here? I recognise this young woman. She works for Mrs Black, who is a murderess.’

  ‘Rubbish! If you’re not careful, Mrs Bennett, you’ll be had up for slander,’ said Emma, scowling at her.

  ‘That’s what I’ve been telling her,’ said Josephine, her hands curling tightly on the back of a chair as she gazed at her previous maid. ‘I’m glad to see you, Emma.’

  Gabrielle’s dark eyes glinted. ‘How can you say that? She’s a spy and in league with her mistress, that evil whore.’

  ‘That’s slanderous, too,’ groaned Josephine. ‘I don’t know why you asked me to accompany you here when you don’t listen to a word I say.’ Alice beckoned Emma and she hurried over to her. ‘Would you believe these two have been carrying on like this since they set foot in my kitchen,’ she whispered. ‘I had no idea Seb’s mother was living with Mrs Stone. The people at the address in Liverpool must have forward­ed Seb’s letter to the Stones’ house.’

  ‘I heard them arguing in the crescent, that’s what brought me here.’

  Josephine heard them and had the grace to blush and apologise. ‘It was not my intention to upset you, Mrs Bennett. If I’d known Gabrielle would start ranting about Mrs Black as soon as we arrived, I would have come another time. My intention was to be of moral support to her as she said she was nervous. Hard to believe I know. But I also wanted to ask for your help. I thought you might be willing to take poor Victoria Waters’ place in planning a rally to drum up more support for Women’s Rights here in Chester.’

  ‘I’m hardly in a condition to get involved in the Cause right now, Mrs Stone,’ said Alice, grasping Emma’s arm and pulling herself to her feet.

  Josephine gaped. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t realise you were so far gone in your pregnancy. Of course I wouldn’t expect you to help us in your condition.’

  ‘The baby’s due any day now.’

  Gabrielle tossed her head. ‘I could have told you that it would be a waste of your time, Mrs Stone. You might as well leave.’

  Alice was annoyed. ‘Mrs Stone doesn’t have to leave. She’s come all this way, so deserves a cup of tea and a cake.’

  ‘You would go against me?’ Gabrielle’s chin jutted and she folded her arms beneath her bosom and hoisted it up. ‘Do not forget, Alice, I knew you when you were in a lowly position.’

  Alice blurted out, ‘At least I wasn’t warming Mr Waters’ bed when I worked here.’

  The blood rushed to Gabrielle’s face and she raised her hand as if about to strike her daughter-in-law.

  ‘Don’t you dare!’ said Emma, her arm going round the trembling Alice. ‘You’ve no right to upset her. We all know what Alice says is true. Otherwise your son wouldn’t be doing so well for himself… and that’s not slander.’

  Gabrielle looked about ready to turn her wrath on Emma but Josephine seized her arm and said firmly, ‘Calm down, Gabrielle. We are both guests in this house and you are behaving abominably. I under­stand it can’t be easy for you coming back here and facing your shame­ful past but it was you who wanted to come, so control your feelings. Perhaps we should both leave young Mrs Bennett to recover.’

  Alice thanked her. ‘But please don’t go yet. Join me in the drawing room once Mary’s made the tea.’ She turned to Emma and slipped her hand through her arm. ‘Let’s go.’

  Emma left the kitchen with Alice. ‘What a nice woman that Mrs Stone is,’ said the latter, as they made their way to the drawing room. ‘What on earth made her take in Seb’s mother?’

  ‘Probably desperation if Dr Stone’s still up to his old tricks and they’ve lost another servant. Remember the reason I left was because he was too ready to touch me all over. He got one of the maids pregnant.’

  ‘Not much different from Mr Waters then,’ said Alice, and then put a hand to her mouth. ‘I shouldn’t have said that. And I shouldn’t have lost my temper back there.’

  ‘I’d have wanted to say the same,’ said Emma, smiling. ‘I think Seb’s mad wanting her back here.’

  Alice groaned. ‘I know! But it’s his mother and he thinks she’ll be of help to me after the baby’s born. I reckon Granny Popo would be better than her. I was hoping the baby would arrive before Gabrielle did.’

  ‘So what are you going to do?’ asked Emma.

  Alice sighed. ‘I suppose I’ll have to give it a try for Seb’s sake. She is his mother.’

  Emma opened the drawing room door and settled Alice comfortably in front of the fire. ‘Shall I go and see how things are in the kitchen?’

  Alice nodded. ‘Thanks. And you’ll have a cup of tea with us, won’t you?’

  Emma smiled. ‘If you want me to… but I can’t stay long.’

  Alice returned her smile. ‘I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want your support.’

  Emma nodded and hurried back to the kitchen. Mrs Stone looked relieved to see her. ‘How is Mrs Bennett?’

  ‘She’ll be fine as long as nobody goes upsetting her. She’s had enough to cope with over the last few months. But, please, go and join her in the drawing room.’

  Gabrielle did not say a word but her eyes spoke volumes as she stalked out of the kitchen in Josephine’s wake. If looks could kill, thought Emma, wondering if that was because Mrs Stone knew the reason why Gabrielle had gone to prison. She went to help Mary with the tea tray.

  As Emma carried the tea and cakes into the drawing room, she could feel the atmosphere. She placed the tray on a low table in front of the sofa where Alice and Josephine Stone were sitting discussing the rally. Emma heard Alice say that, although she couldn’t help her, Hannah might be willing to do so. Gabrielle was several feet away, perched on the straight-backed chair that Victoria had used when writing letters at her bureau. She looked straight through Emma, who turned her back on her and poured the tea. Gabrielle turned her attention to the cakes on offer, looking at them with disdain.

  Alice said, ‘You were in prison with Lady Constance Lytton… tell us what it was like?’

  Josephine shuddered. ‘Very unpleasant and not something I want to do again. I won’t say any more. I believe Lady Constance plans to write a book about her experiences, so I’ll not steal her thunder.’

  There was silence as they sipped their tea. Alice decided she must make the effort and try and be friendly to her mother-in-law, so turned to her. ‘I was surprised to see your name in Votes for Women. How did
you get involved?’ Hot colour stained Gabrielle’s cheeks, and without speaking, she put down her cup and saucer and hurried out of the room. ‘What did I say wrong?’ whispered Alice, her own face flushing as she gazed after her.

  Josephine hesitated. ‘I think it’s best if I say as little as possible. Suffice to say that there was a mix-up. She isn’t one of us but was picked up by the same Black Maria that took me and Lady Constance and a couple of others to the police station and then prison.’

  ‘I see,’ said Alice, who didn’t. She exchanged glances with Emma and just knew she was longing to know as much as she was why Gabrielle had ended up in jail.

  ‘So have you thought of any names for the baby yet?’ asked Josephine, smiling.

  Alice was not averse to talking on such a topic. Emma slipped away without them noticing, imagining what her mother would have said if she’d heard them extolling the joys of motherhood. She returned to Mrs Black’s, impatient to tell her of Gabrielle Bennett’s return.

  * * *

  Eudora was scarcely through the door when Emma broke the news to her. Her reaction was different from what Emma had expected. Only by the narrowing of her eyes and the barest tightening of her lips did she show that she had heard her. Then, with the order to have supper on the table in ten minutes, she went to her bedroom. Later, when she sat in front of the fire, making short work of the ham and cheese omelette that Emma had whipped up, she asked how Alice had reacted to her mother-in-law’s arrival.

  ‘She’s none too happy. But if Seb Bennett’s asked her back, Alice can scarcely tell his mother to pack her bags again and go… that’s for sure.’

  Eudora frowned. ‘That woman is trouble and I feel sorry for poor little Alice. Did she have anything to say about me?’

  ‘When she saw me, you bet she did,’ said Emma, pulling a face.

  Eudora said crossly, ‘Don’t do that, Emma, if the wind changes you just might stick like that.’

  ‘That’s an old wives’ tale.’

  ‘Never mind that. What did she say?’

  Irritated, Emma thought that if she wanted the truth then she could have it. ‘She called me your spy… and said that you were a whore.’

  ‘Slanderous! And she can talk,’ said Eudora with a sniff. ‘She’s been paid for lying on her back for years. Fetch me the sherry bottle and a glass if you would, Emma.’

  Emma fetched the best cream sherry, unsure whether to mention the accusation of murder.

  Eudora took tiny sips of the sherry and was silent for so long that Emma had cleared her plate and cutlery and departed to the kitchen, where she made custard to accompany the treacle tart she had baked earlier. As she placed the dessert on the table, her mistress said, ‘There’s something else, isn’t there? Has she made wild accusations about me being a murderess again?’

  ‘You’ve guessed it in one,’ said Emma, thinking she might have known Mrs Black would have worked that out.

  ‘She would hardly accuse you of being my spy if it was solely because she’d called me a whore. Unless she thinks I use this house as a bordello amongst other things,’ said Eudora, her dark eyes alight with amusement all of a sudden. She picked up her spoon. ‘I’m going to have to give careful thought to her future. We’d be doing Alice a favour if we could get rid of her, wouldn’t we?’

  Emma’s stomach flipped over like a pancake on Shrove Tuesday. ‘How?’ she squeaked, hoping that Gabrielle’s accusation of murder was untrue.

  Eudora’s eyes widened. ‘Emma, dear, I do believe you still have your doubts about me.’ She raised a spoonful of sponge and custard to her mouth.

  ‘No, I don’t, Mrs Black,’ lied Emma. ‘Although, I could have mur­dered her myself the way she looked at me… like I was a bedbug or a bluebottle.’

  ‘That’s the spirit, dear. What I will do is have my solicitor send a warning letter to her, saying I will sue if she continues to slander me.’ She changed the subject. ‘Now, do you know where I went this after­noon? You don’t have to answer, I’ll tell you. To see Alice’s father in the asylum. He’s been on my conscience because I haven’t visited him since my return from my travels.’

  ‘Is he any better?’

  ‘It’s difficult to tell.’ Eudora pursed her lips. ‘Of course he could be putting it on. I told him I’d seen his other daughter, Tilly, and what a beauty she is and there was definitely a reaction. I also informed him that Alice is having a baby – although it seems to be keeping the prospective parents waiting so I heard on the grapevine. I even men­tioned your sister to him…’

  ‘Did you tell him what we suspect Bert of doing to Miss Waters?’

  ‘He didn’t know her, so what would be the point? What’s most important is that he doesn’t forget Bert was responsible for his being caught and placed in the asylum.’

  ‘You told him Bert’s gone to Australia?’

  Eudora said smoothly, ‘No, dear, because I’m not convinced he has and if he were ever to get out of that place, he’s the man to deal with Bert. Now coffee, dear.’

  Emma whipped the pudding bowl away and left the room, thinking if Mrs Black was right about Bert then it was worrying. Perhaps she should have a word with Hanny and see what she had to say.

  * * *

  ‘Emma!’ Hannah stood in the doorway, smiling. ‘Come in!’

  Emma wiped her feet on the coconut mat and followed her friend into the kitchen. ‘I’m on my way to me mam’s, so I can’t stay long.’

  ’Sit down! You won’t mind if I carry on with the dinner?’

  ‘Of course not.’

  Emma sat by the fire, watching Hannah slice carrots into a black­ened pot, wondering how to broach the subject of Bert. Hannah had blossomed in the last few weeks. How could she spoil things for her by mentioning Mrs Black’s conviction that he hadn’t gone to Australia?

  ‘Mrs Stone’s been here,’ said Hannah. ‘She brought them.’ She pointed to the parcel on the table. ‘I’m supposed to go putting them through as many doors as I can or hand them out in the centre of town. Joy’s going to help me but it’s still going to be a bit of job.’

  ‘Leaflets are they?’ asked Emma, glad to have her mind taken off Bert.

  ‘Have a look. I’ve cut the string.’

  Emma went over and opened the brown paper. She took out the top sheet of paper. The writing was big, black and bold and beneath the date in March, as well as the time and place was printed:

  WOMEN OF CHESTER, DO YOU EARN A PITTANCE WORKING THE SAME HOURS AS MEN? WOMEN OF CHESTER, ARE YOU ALONE IN HAVING TO SUPPORT YOURSELF OR A FAMILY ON THAT PITTANCE BECAUSE YOU’RE WIDOWED OR YOUR HUSBAND HAS SUFFERED AN INJURY AND CAN’T GET WORK? WOULD YOU LIKE A BETTER EDUCATION FOR YOUR DAUGHTERS? WOULD YOU LIKE THE SAME WAGES AS MEN? COME AND HEAR HOW YOU CAN BRING ABOUT CHANGES IN THE LAW SO YOU CAN TAKE YOUR SHARE IN KEEPING BRITAIN GREAT. WOMEN MUST HAVE THE VOTE. JOIN THE FIGHT!

  Emma nodded slowly. ‘It’s good. If only they could bring it off but it’s true that they’ve got a fight on their hands, just like the working men have to get better wages.’

  ‘You say they. Don’t you feel you’re one of us any more? I’d really appreciate your help, Emma.’

  She hesitated. ‘I really haven’t got time to get involved but perhaps I can take a few and put them through the doors in Mam’s street.’

  ‘What about Victoria Crescent?’

  Emma smiled. ‘Now you’re asking something. I could have the dogs set on me… but then what’s that compared to those who’ve been put in prison and suffered? The question is what class of women do they want at the meeting? Can us working class women change things? They’re not after the vote for us, are they?’

  Hannah put down the vegetable knife and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. ‘The vote for women householders aged thirty and over is just the first step. Besides, you should know by now this is about more than women getting the vote. We need to change attitudes about a woman’s place in the scheme of things. We’ve got more brains than most m
en are prepared to give us credit for. Anyway, as I said to Alice, we should carry on Miss Victoria’s work. It’s exactly what she would have wanted.’

  ‘What did she say to that?’

  ‘She’d like to help but she can’t think of anything else but the baby right now – it should have arrived by now – it’s the first of March tomorrow. But she did give me some money to help with expenses.’

  ‘Have you found out anything more about Seb’s mother and why she was in prison?’

  Hannah’s face darkened. ‘No, I haven’t. I wish you hadn’t men­tioned her. I’m disappointed in her. She’s driving Alice mad, saying she’s no better than her because Alice isn’t legally married as she was­n’t wed in a Catholic church. Also she criticises the decisions she makes in running the household.’

  ‘What does Seb say?’

  Hannah snorted. ‘She doesn’t say it when he’s around. Just babbles on about the baby and what a wonderful father he’ll make.’

  ‘Why doesn’t Alice tell him what his mother’s saying?’

  ‘She doesn’t want to upset him. She thinks he’s got enough on his plate getting the business on its feet. Besides, she’s as sweet as honey to Alice when Seb’s there.’

  Emma said slowly, ‘Alice should stand up to her.’

  Hannah nodded. ‘She says she couldn’t cope with a row at the moment. Besides, she’s grateful to Gabrielle for looking after Mrs Waters, so they were able to dispense with one of the servants, which is a help financially.’

  Emma wondered what Seb’s mother had to gain by it. ‘What about Tilly? How does she get on with her?’

  Hannah’s mouth tightened. ‘As you know, Tilly’s got a lovely nature and most people take to her… but not Mrs Bennett. According to Alice, Tilly only has to open her mouth and Mrs Bennett shuts her up, saying little girls should be seen and not heard. She complains about her prac­tising the piano or singing about the place. At the moment, she’s stay­ing with us until after the baby’s born and Alice is up and about again. We’re glad to have her company. She’s a little love.’