Tilly True

by Dilly Court

  The door to the box opened and Barney came in holding a bottle of champagne, two glasses and a spray of white gardenias. ‘For you, my darling girl.’ Handing her the flowers, Barney sat down and poured the champagne.

  ‘They’re lovely. Ta ever so.’ Sniffing the flowers, Tilly was about to lay them gently on the table beside her when Barney’s hand shot out.

  ‘Look closer, Tilly.’

  Examining the spray, Tilly gasped with amazement as her fingers touched something hard. Hidden beneath the glossy green leaves, encircling the tightly bound stems, was a ring. Slipping it free, Tilly stared at the sparkling diamond and, for once, was speechless.

  Taking the ring from her trembling fingers, Barney held it up so that the diamond flashed white fire. ‘Miss True, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?’

  Barely able to believe that this was happening to her, Tilly held out her hand and Barney slipped the ring on her finger. ‘Oh, yes. Yes, I will.’

  The ivory satin and lace gown was the latest fashion and was, so the shop assistant had informed them, a faithful copy of the gown worn by the Duchess of York as it had appeared in the newspaper photographs. The high neck, frilled with lace, meant that Tilly could barely bend her head, and moving was an effort as her stays were laced so tightly that she could barely breathe. She felt like royalty in a gown that boasted the latest leg-of-mutton sleeves, was nipped in at the waist and lay flat over her stomach, sweeping out in a train at the back. Clutching her spray of gardenias, from which she would not be parted even though the petals had begun to turn brown at the edges, she arrived at the register office in Holborn on Barney’s arm.

  Bootle was waiting in the vestibule, his round face beaded with drops of perspiration, which misted up his spectacles so that he had to keep taking them off and wiping them on a large cotton handkerchief. He greeted Tilly with a nervous smile and she wondered why he seemed agitated, but it all became clear as they entered the registrar’s room and she saw Mrs Bootle and the awful Ethel sitting with wooden faces in front of the desk.

  ‘Why them?’ Tilly demanded in a whisper.

  ‘Short notice, darling girl. We need two witnesses.’

  ‘I could have got Ma and Pops to come if you’d only said.’

  ‘Hush, pet. All that matters is that in five minutes we’ll be married.’ Patting her hand, Barney left Tilly and went over to speak to Bootle.

  She could not hear their exchange of words, but Tilly’s heart sank to see Ethel of all people sitting there, staring straight ahead of her, waiting to witness her marriage. Suddenly the golden day seemed to dim a little.

  The door opened and an official-looking man with a hawk nose and a serious expression strode in and went behind the desk. The brief ceremony was over in minutes and the registrar looked to Bootle, who handed him a sheet of paper.

  ‘Sign here.’

  It was all rather abrupt and over so quickly that Tilly could hardly believe that it had happened at all. She couldn’t help comparing this coldly efficient civil ceremony with the emotional warmth of Emily’s simple wedding in St Botolph’s Church, where the vicar had spoken lovely words and Ma had cried a bit. Realising that everyone was staring at her, waiting for her to do something, Tilly signed her name beneath Barney’s signature, witnessed by Mrs Bootle and Ethel.

  ‘Congratulations, sir, madam.’ Unsmiling, Mrs Bootle, rather red around the neck and jowls, bobbed a curtsey and walked away without looking at Tilly.

  Ethel scowled and said nothing, but Bootle kissed Tilly on both cheeks, begging her pardon for being so familiar; Tilly gave him a hug and told him not to be silly. Hadn’t he helped her when everyone else had not? Bootle’s eyes misted with tears and he coughed abruptly, taking off his spectacles and wiping them.

  ‘I wish you the best of luck, my dear Mrs Palgrave.’

  ‘Mrs Palgrave,’ Tilly said, squeezing Barney’s arm. ‘I can’t believe it.’

  ‘For better for worse, my love.’ Kissing her on the mouth, Barney slipped her hand through his arm. ‘Come along, Mrs Palgrave, we’ve lots to do and only one day in which to do it.’

  ‘One day?’ Tilly had to run to keep up with him as he strode out of the office, across the vestibule and out of the building. ‘What do you mean, Barney?’

  ‘My regiment leaves for India tomorrow, my darling. But that’s a long way away. Right now we’re going to celebrate.’ Barney strode to the edge of the pavement to hail a passing hansom cab.

  ‘Good luck with him. You’ll need it.’

  Spinning round, Tilly came face to face with Ethel. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Just what I say. You poor fool – first you was took in by Stan Blessed and now him. You ain’t had much luck with men.’

  ‘What – I mean how do you . . . ?’

  ‘Know about Randy Stan? He can’t keep his mouth shut, dearie. I overheard him bragging to my employer that he had you in a brothel down Ludgate way. You wasn’t much cop by all accounts.’

  ‘Why, you bitch.’ Clawing her hands, Tilly resisted the temptation to scratch Ethel’s eyes out.

  ‘Marrying a gent don’t make you no lady.’ With a scornful laugh, Ethel walked away to join her mother.

  Bootle cast Tilly an anxious and apologetic smile. ‘Don’t mind my Ethel, Mrs Palgrave. She’s had a disappointment in love which has made her a bit vinegary at times, but she’s a good girl at heart.’

  Having secured a cab, Barney came towards them, smiling, and he slapped Bootle on the back. ‘Thanks for everything, Bootle. You’re a good chap – I hope my uncle fully appreciates you.’

  ‘Goodbye, Mr Barney. I’ll pass on your regards to Mr Clarence, shall I?’

  ‘Do that, old man, although I doubt if he’ll care much either way.’ Handing Tilly into the cab, Barney leapt in beside her. ‘Well, Mrs Palgrave, how do you feel?’

  ‘Happy – so happy. I can’t believe this is happening to me.’ Tilly reached out to hold Barney’s hand. ‘It would be perfect if only you didn’t have to leave so soon.’

  ‘You’ve married a soldier, Tilly. I didn’t want to spoil the day by telling you earlier that I’d had my orders to leave for India.’

  ‘No! It’s too soon! We’ve only just been married. You can’t leave me on our wedding day.’

  ‘I didn’t plan it this way, darling. But I’ve already spoken to my commanding officer and he said that you’ll be able to come out and join me very soon. The army appreciates the sobering influence of the wives.’

  ‘Really? Oh, Barney, I’ve wanted to see India ever since I was a little girl and saw the Indian soldiers at the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. They was so magnificent.’

  ‘You’re such a dreamer, sweetheart.’ Leaning back against the squabs, Barney was suddenly serious. ‘You’ll certainly brighten up the social life in the camp and give the stuffy army matrons something to talk about.’

  ‘You mean because I’m a common girl.’

  Barney flinched visibly. ‘Don’t say that. I just meant that you are different.’

  ‘Are you saying that I don’t know how to behave in your circle?’

  ‘You’ll soon learn – I mean, you have already learned a lot from Hattie. You used to speak like a fishwife but you’ve almost lost your cockney accent already.’

  ‘I’m not ashamed of where I come from, nor of my family. They’re good, hardworking, honest people who don’t take things what they can’t pay for.’

  Barney’s eyes flashed with annoyance but it was gone in a moment and he laughed. ‘Darling girl, we’ve just had our first row. Forget everything I said, I love you just the way you are.’

  ‘I suppose so.’ Turning her head away, Tilly stared out of the window as a worm of doubt crawled into her thoughts. She knew very well that she was not in his class, but until now it had not seemed to matter. She couldn’t help wondering how Barney was going to get on with her beloved family when he finally met them. With a start of surprise, she realised that they were heading east along Fle
et Street. ‘Barney, we’re going the wrong way.’

  ‘No, I told the cabby to take us to Bunbury Fields. You’ll stay with Frank and Hattie until I can send for you.’

  His words came as a shock; if he had tipped a jug of iced water over her head, Tilly could not have received more of a jolt. ‘But you never said. I mean, you should have asked me first.’

  ‘Sweetheart, you didn’t think you could stay at the Savoy until I sent for you?’

  ‘Don’t laugh at me, Barney. Of course I didn’t. I didn’t think at all, it’s been such a rush, but you should have talked to me about it. And my beautiful new clothes are all at the Savoy.’

  ‘Not any more. I sent them to Bunbury Fields this morning. I thought it best to leave the hotel quietly, if you get my meaning.’

  Horrified, Tilly stared at him. ‘You mean we’ve left without paying the bill?’

  Barney shrugged. ‘Oh, they’ll get their money in the end. Dolph will complain a bit, but he’ll pay up. Don’t worry, darling. Trust me, I know what I’m doing.’

  She did trust him, of course she did, but niggling little doubts were creeping into Tilly’s mind. ‘Barney, does the Reverend know about us?’

  Flashing her a smile, Barney patted her hand. ‘He’ll be delighted, my pet. You must stop worrying.’

  Mrs Henge opened the door, squinting at them through a spiral of smoke from her clay pipe. ‘No room.’ She tried to shut the door but Barney stuck his foot over the threshold.

  ‘We’ve come to visit the reverend gentleman, my brother.’

  ‘Thought I’d seen you before.’ Grudgingly, Mrs Henge opened the door. ‘Ain’t you the trollop what accused me of keeping a dirty kitchen?’

  ‘This is Mrs Palgrave,’ Barney said, fixing her with a stern look. ‘My wife.’

  ‘La-di-dah,’ said Mrs Henge, ambling off in the direction of the back stairs. ‘You knows your way.’

  ‘Take no notice of the old bat,’ Barney said, mounting the staircase and holding his hand out to Tilly. ‘Don’t stand for any cheek, my pet. You’ll have to learn how to handle the lower orders.’

  ‘I am one of the lower orders, Barney.’

  ‘Not any more. You’re an officer’s wife now, darling. You’ll have to learn to behave like one.’ Taking the stairs two at a time, he dragged her after him. ‘Hattie will give you guidance and you’ll pick it up in no time.’

  Halfway up the stairs, Tilly stopped, jerking her hand free. ‘I’m me, Barney. You married me and I can’t be what I’m not.’

  Pausing with one foot on the next stair tread, Barney raised his eyebrows and then he grinned. ‘Silly girl. It will all work out, you’ll see. You’re bright and you’re beautiful and no one need ever know about your past life.’

  ‘You’re ashamed of me.’

  ‘Never.’

  ‘Then, when we’ve seen Hattie and the Reverend, I want you to come to Red Dragon Passage and meet my family.’

  Barney’s brow knotted in a frown. ‘Not today, Tilly. Don’t be tiresome.’

  ‘You are ashamed of me and them.’

  ‘Darling girl, of course not, but there simply isn’t time to do everything today.’

  Tilly was about to continue the argument, insisting that Barney must meet Ma and Pops, when Harriet leaned over the banisters.

  ‘Barney? I thought I heard your voice. What’s going on? And who is that with you?’

  She disappeared for a moment and Tilly heard her light footsteps pattering down the stairs. As Harriet rounded the sharp bend, she stopped and stared in astonishment at Tilly. ‘Is that you, Tilly?’

  Barney was at her side in a moment, kissing her on the cheek and smiling down at Tilly with a wave of his hand. ‘Hattie, my dear, I want you to meet my wife.’

  ‘No!’ Harriet’s eyes opened wide with surprise. ‘So that explains the boxes that were delivered this morning from the Savoy Hotel. Barney, what have you done?’

  Suddenly, Tilly wanted to cry. This was not how it was supposed to be. It was her wedding day and everyone ought to be as happy as she was . . . had been. Clutching her wilting spray of gardenias, she pressed her shoulders against the damp wall, gazing helplessly at Barney.

  ‘I’ve married the most beautiful girl in the whole of London and I want you to be happy for us, Hattie.’

  ‘You’d better come up and see Francis.’ With a brief, uncertain smile in Tilly’s direction, Harriet led the way upstairs to their rooms.

  Francis listened to the news with a stern expression on his face. ‘Barnaby, what have you done?’

  ‘Look, Frank, I don’t expect you to approve of anything I do, but you’ll have to admit that for once I’ve acted like a gentleman and done the right thing.’

  ‘You’ve acted like a fool in my opinion.’ Francis turned to Tilly, managing a tight little smile. ‘You’ll have to forgive me, Tilly, but I only speak the truth. I’m sure that my brother’s intentions were honourable, but I have to say that his actions were foolhardy.’

  ‘We love each other, your reverence, and we want to be together for always.’ Despite her disappointment and embarrassment, Tilly was not going to be browbeaten. ‘I’ll make Barney a good wife, you see if I don’t.’

  ‘Oh, Tilly, don’t be upset.’ Harriet put her arm around Tilly’s shoulders. ‘I’m sure you’ll make Barney a far better wife than he deserves.’

  ‘And you’re about to be posted abroad,’ Francis said, taking Barney by the arm and pulling him aside. ‘You can’t take her with you.’

  ‘My wife has a name, Frank. Tilly will join me when the regiment is settled. Until then I’m expecting you to do the right thing and protect her for me.’

  ‘Here, I’m not a pet lapdog that can’t look after itself,’ Tilly protested. ‘I won’t stay where I’m not welcome. I’ll go home to my folks in Red Dragon Passage.’

  ‘Francis.’ Harriet sent him a pleading look. ‘You can’t allow Tilly to go back to that place. After all, she’s our sister now.’

  ‘I don’t need you to tell me my duty, Harriet.’ Francis turned to Barney. ‘I’ve lost my living thanks to the Old Stairs gang and their arson attack. We’re waiting for the Missionary Society to find us a posting in India, or even Africa. I can barely support myself and Harriet.’

  ‘Worry not, Frank old boy. The army will allot money to my wife and you’ll find they are a much more reliable provider than I could ever hope to be.’

  ‘Well.’ Francis eyed Tilly doubtfully. ‘I suppose that does throw a different light on the matter.’

  ‘And I shall be glad of Tilly’s company, especially when we leave England,’ Harriet said, a smile wiping away the frown lines on her forehead. ‘She must stay with us, Francis. I’ve always wanted a sister.’

  Slapping Francis on the shoulder, Barney grinned. ‘There, you see, Frank, it will work out well for everyone. Now, I won’t have any arguments, we’re going out to celebrate. After all, this is still our wedding day.’

  The day that had begun so well was beginning to turn into a nightmare for Tilly. Even the choice of venue for the wedding breakfast caused an argument between the brothers. Barney, who seemed to know every pub and tavern in London, wanted to take a cab to the Old Cheshire Cheese in Wine Office Court, off Fleet Street, where he said he was well known and he had a craving for their famous rump steak pudding, but Francis refused to consider eating in a public house. In the end they found a chophouse within walking distance; Barney ordered steak, kidney and oyster pudding for them all and a couple of bottles of claret. Tilly picked at her food, her appetite having deserted her, but she drank three glasses of wine, much to the amusement of Barney, who kept refilling her glass even though Francis patently disapproved. By the time they had rounded off the meal with gooseberry tart and custard, Tilly was feeling slightly sick and Harriet insisted that they should go home immediately. Stone-faced, Francis hailed a hackney carriage and they returned to Bunbury Fields with Tilly leaning tipsily against Barney singing a refrain from The Yeo
men of the Guard.

  ‘Tell her to be quiet,’ Francis hissed, as he unlocked the front door. ‘She’ll disturb the neighbours.’

  ‘Don’t worry, Frank,’ Barney said, lifting Tilly off her feet and carrying her up the stone steps and into the house. ‘I’ll look after my wife. Just point me to her room, Hattie.’

  Hurrying ahead of them, Harriet opened the door to the boxroom where Tilly had slept when she was their maid. ‘Best let her sleep it off, Barney. She’s had quite a day of it.’

  ‘I’m fine, really, I’m fine,’ Tilly said, lifting her head off Barney’s shoulder. ‘Put me down, Barney.’

  ‘Leave her to me, Hattie.’ Winking at his sister, Barney set Tilly down on her feet but kept his arm round her waist.

  ‘All right, but I’ll ask Mrs Henge to make a pot of strong coffee,’ Harriet said, backing out of the door.

  ‘Don’t leave me here,’ Tilly said, sliding her hands up Barney’s uniform jacket. ‘Take me with you.’

  ‘You know that’s not possible, darling girl. We’ll have to be patient but I promise you, on my honour, that I’ll send for you as soon as I can.’

  Tilly giggled. ‘What honour? You’re a bounder and a rogue, Captain Palgrave.’

  ‘And you’re a girl after my own heart. Kiss me goodbye, Tilly.’

  The claret had gone straight to her head and the ground seemed to be moving beneath her feet. She had only felt like this once, during a trip on the Woolwich Free Ferry, and then she had been sick. She was not going to be sick now, but she did feel extremely reckless, and she wanted him more than she could have believed possible. ‘You can’t mean to leave me alone on my wedding night, soldier.’

  Bending his head, Barney kissed her long and hard, but Tilly was not going to let him go so easily and she pulled his head down, parting her lips and using her tongue until he responded.

  ‘You little devil,’ Barney said, releasing her mouth with a deep chuckle. ‘We can’t make love with my saintly brother and virgin sister in the next room.’