Poppy's Dilemma

by Nancy Carson

  ‘Oh, my goodness …’ Aunt Phoebe sat bolt upright, her expression suddenly grim. ‘I’m not sure that’s such a good idea, Poppy. I mean to say, however much of a friend she is, do you really want a street girl at your party to lower the tone? There will be some very respectable people there. They will not want their sons and daughters to be mixing with that sort of girl.’

  ‘But Minnie’s all right, Aunt Phoebe. Honest. And she’ll be all dressed up in nice new clothes. She’s really very friendly. Nobody’ll know she’s that sort of girl, I promise.’

  ‘Are you absolutely sure?’

  ‘Yes, I’m sure. Anyway, I’ve asked her now …’

  ‘Very well then,’ Aunt Phoebe grudgingly agreed. ‘Will she be escorted?’

  ‘You never know with Minnie.’

  A string quartet had been engaged and they sawed their way through the first half hour or so almost unheard, and certainly disregarded, as the guests arrived and engaged in excited chatter. Aunt Phoebe stood in front of the fire that burned brightly in the huge grate. With a roundly smiling face, she introduced Poppy to everybody in turn. Although Poppy was determined to remember all the guests’ names, she knew she must inevitably fail … but not with the Crawfords …

  ‘Clarissa, dear, how lovely to see you.’ The two women greeted each other superficially. ‘Clarissa, let me introduce you to my friend and companion, Miss Poppy Silk … Poppy, Mrs Crawford, my dear sister-in-law …’

  ‘How do you do, Mrs Crawford?’

  So this was Robert’s mother. It was obvious she had once been a fine-looking young woman and the years and bearing of children had not been entirely unkind. She was not tall, but her demeanour, her slenderness and straight back made up for it. She wore a dark green velvet dress and matching stole, and she smiled cordially as she took Poppy’s hand, of course unaware of her association with her long-absent son.

  ‘It was such a pleasant surprise to receive an invitation from Mrs Newton to the birthday party of her friend and companion,’ Mrs Crawford said to Poppy. ‘We had heard that she had a companion living with her, so we just had to come and see you for ourselves. It’s such a pity that my daughter couldn’t be here. She would have enjoyed mixing with people of her own age.’

  ‘Yes, it’s a pity, Mrs Crawford. I would have liked to meet her.’

  ‘We see precious little of her ourselves while she’s at boarding school.’

  ‘I see. What’s her name?’

  ‘Elizabeth.’

  ‘So she must be your youngest?’ Poppy deduced.

  ‘She’s sixteen. Not much younger than yourself, Miss Silk. Anyway, I do hope our birthday gift to you will be to your liking.’

  ‘Thank you,’ said Poppy, taking the small parcel.

  ‘It was actually suggested by the fiancée of my son Robert.’

  ‘Oh, then I’m sure I shall like it a lot.’ Well, fancy that – the choice of Robert’s fiancée. It felt like a book.

  ‘Now let me introduce my husband, Mr Crawford …’

  ‘Delighted to make your acquaintance, Miss Silk.’ Ridley Crawford’s eyes scanned Poppy up and down assessively. He was a tall man, heavily built. Poppy, still a navvy’s daughter beneath her finery, imagined him and his slim wife in bed engaged in awkward copulation, she smothered by his bulk. She smiled to herself, glad that he could not read her saucy thoughts.

  Aunt Phoebe turned to a young woman who was waiting to be introduced, the wife of Robert’s elder brother. ‘Clare. It has been too long since last we met. How well you look.’

  ‘Thank you, Aunt Phoebe. You too. I’ve never seen you looking better,’ Clare Crawford responded.

  ‘And how are the children?’

  ‘Little tinkers,’ she giggled. ‘But thank you for enquiring.’

  Aunt Phoebe laughed with her. ‘This is Poppy Silk. We get on so well, Clare, I can’t begin to tell you … Poppy, Mrs Oliver Crawford.’

  ‘So this young lady is your companion these days?’ Clare looked at Poppy expectantly and smiled. ‘How do you do, Miss Silk?’

  ‘Very well, thank you. And yourself?’

  ‘Well enough. This is my husband, Miss Silk. Mr Oliver Crawford. Oliver, this is Miss Silk whose birthday we are celebrating.’

  Poppy looked at him with curiosity, looking for a facial resemblance to Robert. She found none, except for the shape of his mouth when he smiled. ‘I’m pleased to meet you, Mr Crawford. I’ve heard very little about you, but you must be Mr and Mrs Crawford’s eldest son.’

  Oliver looked her up and down like his father had. ‘I am indeed. I hope we shall have the opportunity to speak later, or even dance together, Miss Silk.’

  She smiled at him appealingly. ‘I’ll be sure to keep one dance free in case you come asking.’

  Poppy’s heart jumped when she saw Bellamy Crawford, the youngest son, Robert’s younger brother. There was no mistaking him. He had a distinct and disturbing facial resemblance to Robert.

  ‘This is such a pleasant surprise,’ he said, looking directly into Poppy’s shining blue eyes. ‘You know, I rather expected the new companion of Aunt Phoebe to be a bit of a frump. I hardly expected to see such a vividly beautiful, fair-haired girl who makes the other ladies here pale into total insignificance. Please assure me, Miss Silk, that you are unattached …’

  Oh dear … She nodded and smiled, uncertain what to say at his gushing praise.

  ‘Please may I have the first dance with you? And, indeed, the second?’

  ‘I’ll gladly have my first dance with you, Mr Crawford, once I’ve met all my guests.’

  As more people arrived and handed over gifts in that smoke-filled, noisy room with the maroon velvet drapes and flock wallpaper, Poppy graciously met them and seemed to grow in confidence and poise. Aunt Phoebe watched her with increasing pride. Poppy was statuesque in the pale blue satin dress that set off her figure to perfection. Esther had carefully tended her hair and it was piled on top of her head, enhancing the elegant set of her youthful neck. Her bare shoulders glistened like flawless ivory and her breast rose and fell with every excited breath and each peal of laughter. Her face was a picture of spontaneous gaiety and her large blue eyes sparkled with the reflection of the gas lamps that hung from the ceiling.

  Aunt Phoebe watched with amused interest the reactions of the young dogs that came sniffing around; and the not so young ones too, who could not prevent their eyes from dwelling on Poppy. She felt a great surge of satisfaction. Oh, this Poppy Silk was going to be the toast of the town.

  Another guest stood waiting to be introduced. He was tall and erect with a military bearing, and aged about forty-five, Poppy estimated. Quite old.

  ‘My dear Cecil,’ Aunt Phoebe cooed. ‘How good of you to come. How is your mother? Is she improving?’

  ‘Mother won’t improve,’ Cecil replied, his eyes dancing between Aunt Phoebe and Poppy, in anticipation of meeting her. ‘It’s just a matter of time, I’m afraid.’

  ‘Do give her my love. I must get Clay to drive Poppy and me to see her one of the days … You haven’t met Poppy yet, have you? Cecil, this is Poppy Silk, my companion. Poppy, Captain Tyler.’

  ‘Miss Silk …’ He took her hand and held on to it for longer than was necessary. ‘Enchanted. So you are the fine young lady who has kept my cousin company through the long dark days of winter?’ His voice was deep and masculine and his diction was perfect.

  ‘Cecil was an army man, Poppy,’ Aunt Phoebe explained. ‘Recently retired, of course.’

  ‘Oh?’ Poppy said, wishing to appear interested but drawn by curiosity to seek out Bellamy Crawford in the throng. ‘Did you enjoy being a soldier?’

  ‘Loved it. You must allow me to regale you with some of my exploits some day, Miss Silk. You would find them very entertaining, I’m sure.’

  Poppy smiled politely.

  One or two of the younger people were beginning to dance and the band played with more enthusiasm in consequence. One set of dances finished and, after th
e couples had returned to their tables for a refresher, the leader announced another. Poppy caught the eye of Bellamy Crawford and, as he smiled, her heart went into her mouth. It was not for him, though, it was for Robert, because he reminded her so much of him. She raised her eyebrows at him and he took it as a signal, making his way towards her at once.

  ‘Excuse me, Miss Silk, you promised me your first dance. May I claim it now?’

  Poppy looked apologetically at Captain Tyler. ‘If you will excuse me, Captain …’

  Captain Tyler smiled grudgingly and nodded. He turned to Aunt Phoebe. ‘What an enchanting princess you have captured as your companion. Do I have your permission to call on her?’

  ‘You may call on me, Cecil,’ Aunt Phoebe replied astutely. ‘But I suspect you’ll be well down the queue when it comes to calling on Poppy.’

  ‘I hope you’re not expecting a brilliant dancer,’ Poppy said, as Bellamy led her to the floor.

  ‘I wouldn’t know a good dancer from a bad one, Miss Silk,’ Bellamy replied. ‘But it’s a perfect excuse to hold a pretty girl around the waist and get to know her a little.’

  As they began waltzing, she smiled up at him, imagining she was looking up at Robert. It was very disturbing being held by a young man so much like him. He was not quite as tall as Robert, but his eyes were similar, the way they crinkled so appealingly when he smiled. The nose was akin, too, as was the shape of his face. But the mouth was different. Oliver, the older brother, was blessed with a mouth more like Robert’s. All the same, she could not help wondering if it would be as pleasant to be kissed by this younger brother.

  ‘Where are you from, Miss Silk? We certainly haven’t met before.’

  ‘Oh, I’ve lived in Dudley for a year or two now,’ she said ambiguously, gliding across the floor as gracefully as she could. ‘Before that I lived all over the place.’

  ‘I see. Ever lived abroad?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Your family isn’t army then?’

  ‘Oh, no.’ This was dangerous ground. She desperately needed to sidetrack him. ‘I understand you have a younger sister, Mr Crawford, but do you have any other brothers besides Oliver?’ It was the first thing that came into her head.

  ‘Indeed I do. Robert. Robert is older than me but younger than Oliver. He’s twenty-four. I’m twenty-two.’

  ‘Is he much like you, this Robert?’ She became confused over her footwork and they had to start the sequence of steps again. ‘Sorry, Mr Crawford. I told you I wasn’t much of a dancer.’

  He smiled his absolution. ‘No matter, Miss Silk. I’m as much to blame … People say we are alike, Robert and I, though for the life of me I can’t see it meself.’

  ‘Is he here? I haven’t met him, I don’t think.’

  Bellamy laughed. ‘Good God, no. Poor devil’s in Brazil of all places. He felt the need to visit the wide-open spaces of South America. He’ll probably come back with severe malaria or beri-beri, I shouldn’t wonder. Always provided he doesn’t decide to stay and become a cowboy.’

  ‘Brazil?’ Poppy said, feigning ignorance. ‘Have you heard from him since he went to Brazil?’

  ‘A short letter to our mother and father every month or so, I think.’

  ‘And is he all right, did he say?’

  ‘I believe so.’

  Poppy breathed a discreet sigh of relief. ‘What’s he doing in Brazil?’

  ‘Surveying for a new railroad. Damn fool. He should join the family firm like Oliver and me instead of trying to make a name for himself. Then there’d be no need to risk life and limb in some godforsaken hole like Brazil. They say there are untold dangers out there. But let’s not talk about him. Let’s talk about you, Miss Silk.’

  ‘Oh, I’m not that interesting, Mr Crawford.’

  ‘Call me Bellamy, eh?’ he said jovially. ‘And I’ll call you Poppy. Poppy’s such a sweet name. It suits you. Tell me, Poppy, do you think Aunt Phoebe would mind if I took you home afterwards?’

  ‘It’s very kind of you to offer, but I wouldn’t dream of leaving Aunt Phoebe to go home by herself.’

  ‘I daresay she’ll have Clay to watch out for her, won’t she?’

  ‘But Clay will be sitting outside on the driver’s seat. Aunt Phoebe will be inside. No, I couldn’t.’ She failed to say that Esther and Dolly would also be travelling back with her, since they were at the party too.

  ‘Then may I call on you?’

  ‘Yes … If you want to, I suppose … If you’re married or engaged though, you needn’t bother.’

  He hooted with laughter. ‘Me married? Indeed not. Nor even engaged. Haven’t met the right girl, Poppy … Till tonight, that is …’

  The dance finished and Poppy returned to Aunt Phoebe’s side. Captain Cecil Tyler was still talking to her, along with another woman who was plainly dressed, but imposing.

  ‘Poppy … You remember Mrs Green …’

  They had met before.

  ‘Mrs Green,’ Poppy greeted and offered her hand. ‘How lovely to see you again.’

  ‘Mrs Green and I have been discussing you, Poppy. We were schoolteachers together some years ago, as I think I must have surely told you. She is connected with Baylies’s Charity School in Tower Street. It’s a sort of Ragged School, of course. They need some help in the classroom and Mrs Green wondered if you might be willing.’

  ‘Me?’ Poppy looked at Mrs Green for confirmation.

  ‘Yes,’ Mrs Green replied. ‘Mrs Newton tells me you are an able reader and writer. We have placed advertisements in the Ten Towns Messenger for a teacher’s help, but to no avail. I am certain your qualities could be put to good use. Of course, a knowledge of singing as well would be indispensable.’

  ‘It would be a wonderful opportunity for you, my dear,’ Aunt Phoebe urged.

  ‘But I can’t sing. I don’t know a thing about singing.’

  ‘I’ll teach you to sing,’ Aunt Phoebe said, as if it would be the easiest thing in the world. ‘Not only would you be continuing to learn in this school, but you would also be gaining invaluable experience. Experience which could possibly lead to a full-blown teaching position somewhere. You would also be earning a little extra money. You should consider it very carefully, my dear.’

  ‘D’you really think so, Aunt Phoebe?’

  ‘My dear, I would not be so keen on you doing it if I did not think so.’

  Poppy saw Bellamy Crawford making his way towards her again. ‘Very well, Aunt.’ It was time to postpone this conversation lest she miss the opportunity to dance with Bellamy again. ‘We can talk about it more tomorrow, maybe.’

  ‘Indeed we shall.’

  ‘And thank you, Mrs Green, for thinking about me.’

  ‘You are an obvious candidate, Miss Silk.’

  Bellamy arrived at her side. Smiling affably, he acknowledged Aunt Phoebe, Mrs Green and Captain Tyler in turn. ‘Would you mind greatly if I robbed you of Miss Silk’s company?’ he said.

  Captain Tyler’s expression did not change, but the two women flashed knowing looks at each other and smiled their assent before Bellamy turned to Poppy.

  ‘Poppy, would you care to dance again?’

  ‘Thank you, Bellamy,’ she consented graciously, and he led her away.

  ‘This time it’s a polka …’

  ‘I’m not very good at polkas, Bellamy.’

  ‘No matter. It’s just that I can’t seem to settle when somebody as beautiful as you is in the same room. Perhaps you would accompany me in to supper afterwards as well?’

  ‘Yes, all right,’ she said contentedly.

  Chapter 20

  Bellamy Crawford would have called at Aunt Phoebe’s on the following Monday evening, had he not risked appearing too keen to see Poppy. So he left it till the following evening, the Tuesday, another mucky, drizzly night. He walked from Tansley House with his collar turned up to keep out the damp and cold. Esther opened the front door to him and took his wet coat while he complained about the weather and thanked he
r for her attention.

  ‘I saw you were at Miss Silk’s party, Esther. Did you enjoy it?’

  ‘Oh, yes, sir, thank you, sir. It was a grand night.’

  From another room towards the rear of the house he could hear the stilted endeavours of an unpractised pianist, while Esther led him into the drawing room where Aunt Phoebe was sitting, attached to her embroidery.

  ‘Good evening, Aunt.’

  ‘Bellamy! What a pleasant surprise.’ Carefully, she put down her work and stood up to welcome her nephew. ‘Fancy venturing out on a night like this.’

  ‘Please, don’t get up, Aunt … Here, I’ve brought you flowers.’

  ‘Roses. Good gracious!’

  ‘Well, I thought it might behove me to come and say thank you for the splendid evening on Saturday. I had a glorious time.’

  ‘Thank you, Bellamy. They’re beautiful. Are they for me, or for Miss Silk?’

  Bellamy grinned sheepishly. ‘For both of you, of course.’

  ‘Do sit down … I’ll lay them on the table and ring for Esther to put them in some water … Yes, it seems to have been a very successful evening. At least we achieved its objective of celebrating Poppy’s birthday.’

  ‘Isn’t she delightful?’ Bellamy said. ‘I was so pleasantly surprised. I must say I quite took to her.’ He felt himself colouring up at the admission.

  ‘Can you take to her piano playing?’ Aunt Phoebe said with a bright laugh, cocking an ear. ‘That’s her, practising her scales.’

  ‘Is she not accomplished already?’

  ‘Not in piano playing. But she’s a trier. I believe she has a feeling for the piano, but we’re all fingers and thumbs when we begin to learn.’