The Mistletoe Seller

by Dilly Court

  She met Hector’s gaze and smiled. ‘It’s been a wonderful evening, Hector. I wish it would never end.’

  But all too soon the guests began to depart and the orchestra stopped playing. It was time to return home to Grantley, but in the confines of the carriage Angel felt closer to Hector than she had during the ball. It had been a magical evening and over far too soon.

  Next day a feeling of anticlimax hung over the household at Grantley. Despite having arrived home in the early hours of the morning, Hector had left for London before breakfast, leaving a message to say that he would be back in time for dinner. Angel read the note, wondering why he had not made any mention of it the previous evening.

  She found Susannah and her mother already at breakfast in the dining room. Humphrey was nowhere to be seen, and Toby had not yet put in an appearance, which was hardly surprising as he had drunk far too much and had fallen asleep in the carriage on the journey home, snoring loudly until Susannah prodded him in the ribs.

  Angel took her place at table, toying with a plate of buttered eggs and grilled bacon, while Susannah nibbled a slice of toast.

  ‘I take it from your sulky expression, Susannah, that the ball was not an unqualified success.’ Eloise touched the silver coffeepot with the tips of her fingers and pulled a face. ‘I refuse to drink cold coffee.’ She picked up the hand bell and rang it. ‘Where is that girl?’

  Almost immediately, as if she had been waiting outside, Dolly hurried into the room. ‘You rang, madam?’

  ‘More coffee, please. And will you go upstairs and tell Master Humphrey that breakfast won’t be kept for him?’ She turned to Susannah with a weary smile. ‘I suppose Toby drank too much, as usual, and won’t rise until noon at the very earliest.’

  Dolly bobbed a curtsey. ‘If you please, ma’am. Master Humphrey was up very early and left for town with Captain Devane.’

  ‘Thank you, Dolly. That will be all. Just bring fresh coffee and some more toast.’

  ‘Yes’m.’ Dolly hurried from the room, closing the door behind her.

  ‘Well, then,’ Susannah said, frowning. ‘What do you make of that, Mama? Why would Hector and Humpty Dumpty go to town without saying a word?’

  ‘I had a letter from our solicitor yesterday.’ Eloise sighed and shook her head. ‘That man only contacts me when there is bad news.’

  ‘What could be wrong, Mama?’ Susannah asked anxiously.

  Eloise held her hand to her head. ‘I don’t know. Perhaps Hector can sort it out. Things always happen when Dolph is away, and I have no grasp of business matters.’

  ‘Hector will know what to do.’ Angel could see that Susannah was not going to let the matter rest, and Aunt Eloise seemed to be on the brink of admitting that they were in serious financial difficulties. It was not difficult to imagine what effect such information would have on Susannah, who was still visibly upset about her lack of success in charming Rupert Westwood.

  ‘You monopolised Hector all evening,’ Susannah said angrily. ‘Blanche only had one dance with him and you must have had three or four. You’ll ruin everything if you continue to flirt with my brother.’

  ‘I did not flirt with him.’ Angel’s good intentions evaporated like morning mist. ‘Hector was being kind and considerate because he realised I didn’t know many of the guests.’

  ‘If what Susannah says is true, you should have reminded my son of his duty to the other young ladies at the ball,’ Eloise said severely. ‘Hector has a kind heart and you’ve always played on that, Angel. You might not realise it, but you do.’

  A rap on the door preceded Dolly, who entered carrying the coffeepot and a jug of hot milk. ‘Will there be anything else, ma’am?’

  ‘That’s all for now. You may clear the table when we’re finished. My son will have to forgo his breakfast if he can’t be punctual for meals.’

  ‘Yes’m.’ Dolly curtseyed and backed out of the room.

  ‘I sometimes detect a hint of insolence in that girl’s attitude,’ Eloise said crossly. ‘You brought her here, Angel, therefore you must speak to her severely. Warn her that if she doesn’t mend her ways she will find herself out of work, and I would not recommend her to anyone else if she cannot properly respect her betters.’

  Angel rose hastily to her feet. ‘I’m sure she doesn’t mean to be rude, Aunt Eloise. I’ll speak to her right away.’

  ‘Thank you, and please see to the flower arrangements. The water needs changing. The smell of it is bringing on my migraine.’ Eloise filled her cup with coffee. ‘I’m going to rest for a while when I’ve finished my meal, and I don’t want to be disturbed.’

  ‘I thought I might ride over to Westwood Hall this afternoon,’ Susannah said cautiously. ‘I’d like to thank Sir Eugene and the family for their hospitality in person.’ She glanced at Angel, who was about to leave the room. ‘Will you ride with me?’

  ‘Not today. I have things to attend to here. Perhaps one of the grooms could accompany you.’ Even as she spoke Angel could hear the sound of a horse’s hoofs on the gravel and she went to look out of the window. ‘You won’t have to bother, Sukey. Rupert Westwood has saved you the trouble.’

  Susannah’s cheeks flamed with colour and she leaped to her feet. ‘Oh, Lord. I must go to my room and put my hair up. Keep him occupied until I come down, Angel.’

  Angel had just seen Dolly rush out to greet their visitor and she held her breath, hoping that Susannah did not change her mind and catch the couple in a fond embrace. Angel could only hope that vanity had won the day and Susannah had gone upstairs to make herself beautiful.

  Eloise rose more slowly to her feet. ‘Send him to the drawing room, Angel,’ she said firmly. ‘I will keep the young man entertained until Susannah is ready to receive him.’

  Glad of the reprieve, Angel hurried outside to greet Rupert, who was standing at the bottom of the steps with Dolly. They moved apart and Dolly backed away nervously.

  ‘Good morning, Captain Westwood,’ Angel said pleasantly. ‘Won’t you come inside?’ She sent a warning look to Dolly.

  ‘Good morning, Miss Winter.’ Rupert doffed his top hat. ‘You look remarkably fresh for someone who danced the night away.’ He handed the reins to a groom, who had come running from the direction of the stables.

  ‘It was a lovely ball,’ Angel said, smiling. ‘And Westwood Hall is a beautiful house.’ She turned to Dolly. ‘I’m sure you have work to do.’

  Dolly hesitated. ‘Could you let us have a few moments together?’

  ‘Are you mad?’ Angel said angrily. ‘What would have happened if anyone other than myself had been looking out of the window?’

  ‘Don’t scold her, Miss Winter.’ Rupert moved swiftly to Dolly’s side. ‘I’m truly grateful to you for keeping our secret.’

  ‘Just how long do you think you can keep something like this quiet?’ Angel looked from one to the other. ‘It’s Dolly who will suffer, Captain Westwood. You already know that, so why are you pursuing her?’

  ‘We’re in love,’ Dolly protested. ‘You know we are, Angel. I thought you were on our side.’

  ‘I am, of course, which is why you must end this now.’ Angel turned to Rupert. ‘You’re not being fair to anyone.’ She could see from the horrified expression on his face that someone had overheard her words, and she turned to find Eloise standing behind her.

  Chapter Ten

  ‘Leave us, Chapman.’ Eloise glowered at Dolly, who fled into the house. ‘What were you saying, Angel? I think an explanation is due.’

  Rupert stepped forward. ‘Forgive me, Mrs Devane. It was my fault. Angel was trying to protect you from a difficult situation.’

  ‘Come inside, both of you.’ Eloise turned on her heel and led the way to the drawing room where she sank down on one of the damask-covered sofas. ‘Now tell me exactly what is going on.’

  Angel glanced nervously at Rupert but once again he took the lead. ‘I have to be honest with you, ma’am.’

  Eloise raised a pale hand
. ‘Please spare me the histrionics, Captain Westwood. It seems to me that you’ve taken advantage of one of my servants and you’ve been toying with my daughter’s affections. Now tell me that I’m wrong.’

  ‘It’s not like that,’ Angel said hastily.

  ‘I wasn’t speaking to you.’ Eloise turned her back on Angel. ‘Well, Captain Westwood. I’m waiting.’

  ‘I love Dolly, ma’am. I’m not apologising for a feeling that is both deep and genuine. I admit that I presumed on my acquaintance with Susannah in order to visit Grantley, and for that I do apologise most sincerely, but you must see that I was placed in a difficult position.’

  ‘All I can see is that you have been using my daughter and abusing my hospitality. I thought better of you, sir. We’ll see what your father has to say about this.’

  ‘Why shouldn’t he care for Dolly?’ Angel could keep silent no longer. ‘She’s a splendid girl and she loves him truly. Why can’t they marry and be happy?’

  ‘Marriage?’ Eloise raised a delicate eyebrow. ‘Are you telling me that you wish to marry a girl who was plucked from the city streets?’

  ‘Yes,’ Rupert said simply. ‘I don’t care about any of that, Mrs Devane. I love Dolly and I intend to make her my wife.’

  Angel stared at him in amazement. She had not believed him at first when he told her his intentions towards Dolly were entirely honourable, but the look in his eyes and the passion in his voice left her in no doubt as to his sincerity.

  ‘And what will Sir Eugene say to that?’ Eloise voiced Angel’s unspoken thoughts.

  ‘He’ll have to get used to the idea, ma’am, but when he sees how happy we are and what a good army wife Dolly will make, I think he’ll come round.’

  ‘I hope so, for your sake, but you realise that I cannot continue to employ the girl now?’

  Angel could keep silent no longer. ‘Dolly has done nothing wrong.’

  ‘Kindly keep your nose out of my business. You brought the creature to my house and she has deceived us all. I won’t tolerate that sort of behaviour from a servant.’ Eloise reached for the bell pull and tugged on it. She shot an angry glance at Rupert. ‘You’ve deceived my daughter, sir.’

  ‘No, ma’am. I can’t allow that,’ Rupert said urgently. ‘I really like Susannah. She’s a beautiful young woman, but the life of a soldier’s wife is not one I would wish on her. She deserves better.’ He looked over his shoulder as the door opened and Susannah breezed in, followed by Dolly. A dull flush stained his cheeks and he sent a pleading look to Eloise, but she chose to ignore him.

  ‘Susannah, I wish I could have spared you this, but Captain Westwood has just told me something very interesting.’ She fixed Dolly with a stony stare. ‘You can pack your bag, Chapman. You’re dismissed and don’t expect to receive a character from me.’

  Dolly’s mouth opened in a silent cry of distress and Angel rushed to her side, placing a protective arm around her shoulders.

  ‘What on earth is going on?’ Susannah demanded, laughing. ‘You look as if you’re part of a Greek tragedy, and what has Chapman done to deserve the sack, Mama?’

  Eloise folded her hands neatly in her lap and her eyes glinted with malice. ‘I think Captain Westwood can answer that better than I.’

  Dolly bowed her head and wept.

  ‘How can you be so cruel, Aunt Eloise?’ Angel said angrily. ‘This isn’t Dolly’s fault.’

  ‘Susannah, I owe you an apology,’ Rupert said tentatively. ‘I never meant to mislead you as to my intentions, but I didn’t expect to fall in love like this.’

  A host of emotions flitted across Susannah’s face, but hope was quickly replaced by doubt. ‘What are you saying?’

  He moved to Dolly’s side. ‘I didn’t mean to deceive you, Susannah. It was love at first sight, which sounds trite, I know, but that’s how it happened. I saw Dolly and I fell in love with her. I’ve asked her to marry me.’

  Susannah sank down on the sofa next to her mother. ‘But that’s ridiculous. You can’t marry a servant. What would your father say?’

  Dolly broke away from Rupert and ran from the room.

  ‘He will probably react like you and your mother, Susannah. Angel is the only one here who has a grain of humanity in her make-up. I love Dolly and that’s an end to it. I’ll marry her and she’ll accompany me wherever I’m posted. She’ll make a brave and wonderful army wife, and I consider myself a lucky man.’ Rupert stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

  There was a moment of stunned silence before Susannah burst into tears.

  ‘I blame you for this, Angel Winter,’ Eloise said angrily.

  Angel was about to protest but Susannah raised her head. ‘If anyone is to blame it’s Rupert. He made me think I was the one he came to see, when all the time he was spooning with one of our servants. Sir Eugene needs to know about this. He’ll put a stop to it.’

  ‘Sukey,’ Angel said aghast. ‘You can’t mean to interfere.’

  ‘Can’t I? We’ll see about that. Do you realise that I’ll be the laughing stock of the county if this gets about? Last night at the ball everyone assumed that Rupert was my beau.’

  Angel shook her head. ‘You danced with his father more often than with anyone else.’

  Eloise was suddenly alert, holding her head on one side like an inquisitive bird. ‘Is this true, Susannah?’

  ‘I suppose so,’ Susannah said sulkily. ‘But he’s old, Mama. He must be forty-five or more.’

  ‘Sir Eugene Westwood is a handsome, eligible widower.’ Eloise rose to her feet, holding out her hand. ‘Come, dear. You must gather yourself together, wash your face and change into your new cream-sprigged muslin. I knew it would be worth spending all that money on such a fine gown. Angel will put your hair up for you.’

  ‘What are you talking about, Mama?’ Susannah said tearfully. ‘My heart is breaking and all you can think of is sprigged muslin.’

  ‘Appearances are very important, Susannah. I will also go and change into something more suitable. Angel, send for the carriage. Susannah and I are going to Westwood Hall to pay a call on Sir Eugene.’

  ‘Am I to accompany you?’ Angel asked dazedly. This was a turn of events she had least expected.

  ‘I think I can manage this without your assistance, my girl, but when you’ve sent for the carriage I want you to come upstairs to do Susannah’s hair. Make haste now.’ With a surprising burst of energy, Eloise shooed Susannah from the room.

  Angel was supposed to go to the stables and pass on the message, but instead of obeying Eloise’s instructions she went to the kitchen, where she found Dolly in tears and Rupert attempting to explain the situation to a startled Cook and Lil. Meg and Flossie, the scullery maid, looked on open-mouthed.

  ‘What’s to be done?’ Lil demanded brusquely. ‘You’ve got the girl in this state, sir. So what are you going to do about it?’

  Angel held her breath. It was almost unheard of for servants to challenge their betters and Lil was risking the wrath of both Sir Eugene and Aunt Eloise if Rupert chose to complain.

  ‘You’re quite right, Miss, er … I’m sorry, I don’t know your name.’

  ‘Miss Heavitree, sir, but you may call me Lil.’

  ‘Well, Lil, I intend to ride to London and obtain a special licence so that Dolly and I can be married properly, in church, as I would wish. This isn’t a hole-and-corner affair, and my wife will receive the respect due to her.’

  Angel hugged Dolly. ‘Don’t cry, dear. Captain Westwood will make everything all right.’

  ‘B-but where am I to go now?’ Dolly raised a tear-stained face. ‘Mrs Devane has just given me the sack and I’m to leave immediately.’

  Cook sat down heavily on a stool and it almost toppled over beneath her considerable weight. ‘Lawks, I never heard of such a thing. You should think yourself lucky, my girl. A gentleman doesn’t often take up with such as you.’

  Rupert eyed her coldly. ‘Dolly is as good a person as I’ve ever met,
and she’s better than most.’

  ‘I never meant no harm, sir. I was just saying what everyone else will think.’

  ‘Quite so, Cook,’ Lil said hastily. ‘But you do see the problem, sir? Where will Dolly go while she waits for you to make other arrangements?’

  ‘I can’t imagine that Aunt Eloise will allow her to remain here.’ Angel fished a hanky from her pocket and passed it to Dolly. ‘But we’ll sort something out, even if I have to smuggle you into my room and keep you hidden for a day or two.’

  ‘Madam won’t like that.’ Meg moved towards the doorway. ‘I can’t be party to this. If Mrs Devane were to discover that I condoned such a thing I’d lose my position as well.’

  ‘Just pretend that you know nothing.’ Angel waited until Meg was out of earshot. ‘I have an idea. There’s Uncle Dolph’s house in Naked Boy Court. Dolly knows it well enough and Baines looks after everything while the colonel is away. You could both stay there.’

  Rupert frowned. ‘That wouldn’t do at all, Angel. I’ve only met Sir Adolphus on a couple of occasions and I wouldn’t want to do anything to compromise Dolly’s good name. I’ll book into an inn for the night.’

  ‘Sergeant Baines took a liking to Dolly,’ Angel said thoughtfully. ‘I’m certain he’d be only too pleased to help.’

  Dolly wiped her eyes. ‘Will you come too, Angel? I don’t fancy sleeping in that creepy house without you there.’

  ‘Of course I would come, if I could, but I think Aunt Eloise would object strongly and she might try to prevent you from going if she discovered your plans, Dolly. This must be done secretly and quickly.’

  ‘I’ll go with her,’ Lil volunteered. ‘No one could make anything of it if Dolly has me as her chaperone, and I’ll knock the daylights out of anyone who tries to stop us.’ Lil flexed her muscles and clenched her jaw as if to demonstrate her undoubted powers.