The Silver Locket (Choc Lit)

by Margaret James

  ‘I’d be going for twenty years! I’m certainly not leaving you behind!’

  ‘But we won’t be married before you leave, there isn’t time.’

  ‘That’s what I went to see this chap about. He was in a similar situation. Rose, I know it’s not ideal, but Kendall says that if we don’t rock any boats, there shouldn’t be any problems. You’ll be Mrs Denham, you’ll be treated as my wife, and shown the same respect. As soon as the divorce comes through, we’ll marry. So are you coming?’

  ‘Alex , you’ll be marrying a pauper,’ Rose reminded him. ‘Daddy won’t change his mind.’

  ‘Let Easton inherit the whole of Dorset,’ Alex said, so softly that Rose could hardly hear the words. ‘My darling, I have you.’

  ‘What about Chloe’s settlement?’

  ‘Henry says he’s going to pay her off.’ Alex shrugged. ‘I’ll pay him back. I’ll make my fortune out in India, and I’ll pay him back, I’ve promised him.’

  The following morning, Phoebe seemed subdued, or even tearful.

  ‘’E’s very nice, your Alex,’ she began, as she and Rose sat in the breakfast room, eating toast and watching Daisy follow the ducks that came up from the lake each morning hoping to find crusts, and were now waddling round the sunny terrace. ‘’E’s got nice manners, too – not like some people I could mention, what don’t live a million miles away.’

  ‘I’m glad you like him. I love him very much.’ Rose took Phoebe’s hand. ‘Phoebe, about Daisy–’

  ‘Rose, you know I can’t take ’er!’ Phoebe’s mouth was working and she looked as if she might start to cry. ‘These past few days, I’ve tried an’ tried! I like ’er well enough. She’s very sweet an’ everythin’–’

  Phoebe rummaged in her pocket, searching for a handkerchief. ‘But she don’t know me. She don’t feel like my child.’

  ‘But Phoebe, she’s your daughter,’ Rose said, gently. ‘You must feel–’

  ‘I’m sorry, Rose, I don’t.’ Phoebe glanced towards open the door. ‘Look out, ’ere comes your feller.’

  Alex walked into the breakfast room and sat down at the table. ‘You’re very quiet, ladies,’ he began.

  ‘We was thinkin’,’ Phoebe told him.

  ‘About what?’ Alex looked Rose. ‘Darling, what’s the matter?’

  ‘Nothing, Alex.’

  ‘Rose, it’s everythin’!’ Phoebe looked anxiously at Alex. ‘Rose might ’ave said I’m goin’ with a Jewish feller, yeah?’

  ‘She didn’t, but go on.’

  ‘I’m goin’ to convert. I’m ’avin’ lessons with the local rabbi, and I’m doin’ all right.’ Phoebe turned to Rose. ‘Nathan’s done so much for me!’ she cried. ‘ ’Idin’ me when Dan was after me, then takin’ me to Leeds an’ lodgin’ me with his relations there. But there’s nothin’ for us ’ere in Britain. So now the war is over, we’re goin’ to New York, to start again.’

  Phoebe looked earnestly at Rose. ‘We’re takin’ Mrs R, of course. She’s been like a mother, what that woman ’asn’t done for me ain’t nobody’s business. But as for little Daisy – money’s tight already. I can’t ask Nathan to do this for me, as well.’

  ‘Phoebe, love, Maria left some money. You could have–’

  ‘Oh, for God’s sake, Rose!’ wailed Phoebe, bursting into tears.

  ‘Phoebe, don’t upset yourself,’ said Alex. ‘If you feel you can’t take Daisy to New York with you, we shall have to think of something else. Rose, is there any coffee?’

  Henry shuffled in just then, and Rose began to talk of eggs and bacon. Phoebe’s sobbing turned to furtive sniffing. Later, she and Henry went off arm in arm to feed the doves.

  ‘Henry’s such a lovely man,’ said Rose. ‘So good, so generous, so kind.’

  ‘Yes, I’m going to miss the dear old chap.’

  ‘Alex, what exactly did you mean when you said we’d have to think of something else for Daisy?’

  ‘Of course, it’s really up to you.’ Alex buttered a slice of bread, then cut it into fingers. ‘She doesn’t have a proper home. She needs one, and she could have one with us.’

  Rose stared at him, astonished. ‘You – you mean we could adopt her?’

  ‘I don’t see why not.’

  ‘Alex, Michael would have killed you! He’s going to inherit what should be yours and mine. But you’d still take his child?’

  ‘We still don’t know if Daisy is his daughter, and anyway she needs a family.’ Alex watched Daisy toddle across flagstones, clapping her podgy little hands, and scattering all the ducks. ‘Daisy?’

  Daisy stopped. She turned to him and beamed. She came inside and climbed on to his lap, then helped herself to fingers of his bread.

  ‘Sins of the fathers,’ Alex murmured, as he stroked her silky, golden curls. ‘Rose, the child is always innocent, but always suffers most.’

  Then Rose understood. Alex was remembering his own appalling childhood, and – loving little Daisy as he did – he didn’t have any choice.

  ‘Daisy?’ Rose reached out to stroke one soft, pink hand. ‘We’re going on a ship to India.’

  Daisy twisted round to frown at Alex.

  ‘Don’t look so worried, sweetheart.’ Alex smiled reassuringly. ‘It’s going to be a very big adventure for us all.’

  At the end of yet another golden afternoon, when Daisy was asleep on Henry’s lap and Phoebe had gone upstairs to do her packing, Rose took Alex for a walk.

  They followed the winding path around the headland and watched the tide race in. ‘You’ve gone very quiet again,’ said Alex, taking Rose’s hand. ‘You’re happy to take Daisy?’

  ‘More than happy,’ Rose assured him.

  ‘It’s just that I was thinking – if we can’t have children of our own – Daisy is so lovely.’

  ‘Yes, she’s gorgeous,’ Rose agreed.

  ‘So what’s the problem?’

  ‘There’s no problem.’ Rose smiled up at him. ‘There’s something I must to tell you.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘I didn’t want to say until I was certain. But now I’m almost sure. Alex, it’s like a miracle, and I never thought it would happen. But I’m going to have a child.’

  ‘You’re what?’ Alex stared at her in disbelief. ‘But when you were in hospital, you said–’

  ‘I know I did. But I’ve been getting fatter, every morning I feel slightly sick, and there are all the other signs as well. Alex, are you pleased?’

  ‘You need to ask me if I’m pleased?’ Alex picked her up and swung her round. ‘Rose, I’m delighted. We’re going to have the perfect family.’

  About the Author

  Margaret James was born and brought up in Hereford. She studied English at London University, and has written many short stories, articles and serials for magazines. She is the author of fifteen published novels.

  Margaret is a long-standing contributor to Writing Magazine for which she writes the Fiction Focus column and an author interview for each issue. She’s also a creative writing tutor for the London School of Journalism.

  An active member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, she contributed to the 50th anniversary anthology Loves Me, Loves Me Not. Margaret’s short story is The Service of My Lady.

  For more information on Margaret visit:

  www.margaretjames.com

  www.twitter.com/majanovelist

  More from Margaret James

  The Golden Chain

  Can first love last forever?

  1931 is the year that changes everything for Daisy Denham. Her family has not long swapped life in India for Dorset, England when she uncovers an old secret.

  At the same time, she meets Ewan Fraser – a handsome dreamer who wants nothing more than to entertain the world and for Daisy to play his leading lady.

  Ewan offers love and a chance to escape with a touring theatre company. As they grow closer, he gives her a golden chain and Daisy gives him a promise – that she will always keep him in her heart.r />
  But life on tour is not as they’d hoped. Ewan is tempted away by his career and Daisy is dazzled by the older, charismatic figure of Jesse Trent. She breaks Ewan’s heart and sets off for a life in London with Jesse.

  Only time will tell whether some promises are easier to make than keep …

  Second novel in the trilogy

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Golden-Chain-Choc-ebook/dp/B004YTJ6US

  The Penny Bangle

  When should you trust your heart?

  It’s 1942 when Cassie Taylor reluctantly leaves Birmingham to become a land girl on a farm in Dorset.

  There she meets Robert and Stephen Denham, twins recovering from injuries sustained at Dunkirk. Cassie is instantly drawn to Stephen, but is wary of the more complex Robert – who doesn’t seem to like Cassie one little bit.

  At first, Robert wants to sack the inexperienced city girl. But Cassie soon learns, and Robert comes to admire her courage, finding himself deeply attracted to Cassie. Just as their romance blossoms, he’s called back into active service.

  Anxious to have adventures herself, Cassie joins the ATS. In Egypt, she meets up with Robert, and they become engaged. However, war separates them again as Robert is sent to Italy and Cassie back to the UK.

  Robert is reported missing, presumed dead. Stephen wants to take Robert’s place in Cassie’s heart. But will Cassie stay true to the memory of her first love, and will Robert come home again?

  Third novel in the trilogy

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Penny-Bangle-Choc-ebook/dp/B007IKD3NQ

  And coming in May 2013

  The Wedding Diary

  Where's a Fairy Godmother when you need one?

  If you won a fairy-tale wedding in a luxury hotel, you’d be delighted – right? But what if you didn’t have anyone to marry? Cat Aston did have a fiancé, but now it looks like her Prince Charming has done a runner.

  Adam Lawley was left devastated when his girlfriend turned down his heartfelt proposal. He’s made a vow never to fall in love again.

  So – when Cat and Adam meet, they shouldn’t even consider falling in love. After all, they’re both broken hearted. But for some reason they can't stop thinking about each other. Is this their second chance for happiness, or are some things just too good to be true?

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  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Importance-Being-Emma-ebook/dp/B003ZSHNWW.

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  Winner of the 2012 RoNA Best Historical Romantic Novel Category Award

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  Depends on who’s making the rules.

  Harry Watling has spent the past five years keeping her father’s boat yard afloat, despite its dying clientele. Now all she wants to do is enjoy the peace and quiet of her sleepy backwater.

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  Meanwhile, Harry has to fight not just his plans but also her feelings for the man himself.

  Then a family secret from the past creates heartbreak for Harry, and neither of them is prepared for what happens next …

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Turning-The-Tide-ebook/dp/B003Y8XQOC

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  Short-listed for the Festival of Romance Award for Best Romantic Read 2011.

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  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Freedom-ebook/dp/B00564A0RS

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r />   The UnTied Kingdom

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  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-UnTied-Kingdom-ebook/dp/B004URV5SA

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