The Mistletoe Seller

by Dilly Court

  Angel glanced over her shoulder at the sound of hoofbeats thudding on the turf behind them. ‘There’s someone coming.’

  ‘Only a madman would ride across the marsh,’ Danny said angrily.

  ‘Or someone who knew it like the back of his hand.’ Angel shielded her eyes from the sun. ‘It’s Hector.’

  ‘Who is he?’

  ‘Captain Devane. He’s the head of the household while Uncle Dolph is abroad.’

  They stopped, standing very still as Hector drew his horse to a halt. ‘Angel, what are you doing out on the marsh at this time of evening? It will be dark soon.’

  ‘Not for an hour or so,’ Danny said with a belligerent lift of his chin. ‘She’s with me and I know the safe pathways.’

  ‘And who are you?’ Hector demanded, scowling.

  ‘This is an old friend of mine, Hector. Danny’s parents were very good to me when I was a child.’

  ‘Well, I suppose I should thank you for looking after Angel,’ Hector said grudgingly. ‘But I’ll take her home, and you’d best find your way back across the marsh while there’s still some daylight.’ He leaned over, holding out his hand. ‘Hannibal can take two of us, Angel.’

  ‘You’ll do better on horseback.’ Without waiting for a reply Danny hoisted Angel onto the saddle. ‘Come and visit us again.’ He saluted and backed away.

  ‘I could have walked,’ Angel said crossly as Hector put his arms around her to take up the reins.

  ‘Walk on.’ Hector clicked his tongue against his teeth and Hannibal moved forward, picking his way across the boggy ground.

  ‘And you were very rude to Danny. He was doing me a favour, although I could easily have found my way home.’ Angel turned her head to see Danny standing where they had left him.

  ‘I’m sorry if I appeared uncivil,’ Hector said reluctantly. ‘But the fellow looked as though he was being overfamiliar, and you were alone with him. What do you think my mother would say to that?’

  ‘You are not your mother, Hector, and I am not your sister. I’m sorry if my behaviour offends your code of conduct, but what do you expect of the girl snatched from the streets?’ She could feel his warm breath on her cheek, and the familiar scent of him made her feel ridiculously safe.

  ‘I refuse to be drawn into an argument. I’ve said I’m sorry, and there’s an end to it. I’ve got more things to worry about than offending a fellow I don’t know and will probably never see again.’

  She glanced at his stern profile, and relented. ‘What’s wrong, Hector? Why did you have to dash off to London in such a hurry?’

  ‘It will wait until we’re all together, Angel. I really don’t want to go through it over and over again, but it’s not good news. To put it simply, our affairs are a mess and, what’s worse, I’ve been recalled to duty and will be leaving tomorrow, as will Westwood. I don’t know what Susannah will make of that.’

  Angel leaned her head against his shoulder. ‘This is awful. Coming on top of everything else, I don’t know how your mama will cope.’

  ‘What do you mean? What can have gone wrong in the few hours since I left the house this morning?’

  Chapter Eleven

  ‘I suppose you’ll find out soon enough,’ Angel said with a sigh. ‘Rupert and Dolly are in love. He’s going to marry her by special licence.’

  ‘The bastard. I’m sorry, Angel, but I’d like to wring his cheating neck. Does Susannah know?’

  ‘Yes, well, in part. Your mother took her to Westwood Hall this morning. I think she planned to tell Sir Eugene, although I’m not sure what good that would do because Rupert and Dolly have gone to London taking Lil with them as chaperone. Dolly and Lil are going to stay at your uncle’s house until Rupert gets the licence.’

  ‘The devil they are.’

  ‘Aunt Eloise told Dolly to leave immediately, and I didn’t think you’d mind if she went to Naked Boy Court,’ Angel said hastily. ‘I know that she’s just a servant in your eyes, but she’s my friend.’

  ‘If Westwood wants to ruin his career, that’s his business, but I do care about my sister. If he’s been leading her on I’ll have more than a few words to say to him.’

  They rode on in silence, with only the soft thud of Hannibal’s hoofs on the boggy turf and the panting of the dogs as they trotted along at their side, keeping them company. Dusk had fallen by the time they reached Grantley and Hector dismounted first. He lifted Angel to the ground and handed the reins to a groom, who had come running from the stables.

  The front door was open and a shaft of light spilled onto the stone steps. Eloise was there to meet them, pale-faced and frowning. ‘Where have you been, Angel? I thought you had run away with that wretched servant girl.’

  ‘I went for a walk, Aunt Eloise, and got caught in the rain.’

  Hector kissed his mother on the forehead. ‘She’s safe and well, Mama. But I need to talk to you and the rest of the family. I’ve something to say that concerns us all.’

  Eloise stared at him wide-eyed. ‘That sounds ominous, Hector. What is it?’

  ‘I ought to go and change.’ Angel made a move towards the staircase, but Hector caught her by the hand.

  ‘No, this concerns you as much as anybody.’ He turned to his mother. ‘Are the others in the drawing room?’

  ‘Yes, and we didn’t wait dinner for you because I had no idea whether or not you would return this evening.’ Eloise shot a sideways glance at Angel. ‘As for you, miss, I’ll thank you not to go wandering off like that. I was about to send out a search party. My brother would never forgive me if I allowed anything to happen to you.’

  The meaning of this was clear, but Angel was used to Mrs Devane’s barbed comments, and she had always known that her adoptive aunt merely tolerated her presence. Eloise headed for the drawing room with her head held high and her silk taffeta petticoats swishing as she glided across the highly polished floor.

  In the drawing room Toby and Hector were sprawled in chairs on either side of a crackling log fire. Even though it was high summer, a chill always seemed to rise from the marshes by late evening and a fire was more than welcome. Susannah perched on the window seat, gazing out into the twilit garden. She turned her head to give Angel a cursory glance and then looked away.

  ‘Hector has something momentous to tell us,’ Eloise said flippantly. ‘After the disasters of today I can’t think what could be worse.’ She sank down on the sofa and patted the empty space at her side. ‘Take a seat, Hector. Don’t keep us in suspense.’

  Toby took a sip from the glass he cupped in his hand. ‘I hope our spirit merchant hasn’t cut off our credit. This is an excellent Armagnac.’

  ‘Is that all you can think about?’ Hector demanded angrily. ‘I can tell you now that the account has been closed. I settled it today, as well as the one you had with Fortnum’s, Mama. We can no longer afford to live in the same style.’

  ‘What are you talking about, Hector?’ Eloise unfurled her fan and used it vigorously. ‘Is this some kind of joke?’

  ‘It’s worse than any of mine,’ Humphrey said, chuckling. ‘Come on, Hector, you’ll be telling us next that we have to sell Grantley.’

  Susannah leaped to her feet. ‘Stop it, all of you. My heart has been broken and all you can do is talk about food and wine and make silly jokes.’

  ‘Don’t be upset, Sukey,’ Angel said gently. ‘You wouldn’t have been happy with Rupert.’

  ‘How do you know that?’ Susannah’s eyes flashed and her lips tightened. ‘It’s all your fault for bringing that harlot into our house. See what happens when you try to be kind to the poor and needy – they turn on you and ruin your life.’

  ‘That’s enough.’ Hector’s sharp reprimand silenced Susannah and she sank back on her seat, pushing Angel away as she tried to comfort her.

  ‘Tell us what you have to say, Hector,’ Eloise said wearily. ‘It’s been a long and trying day and I feel one of my heads coming on.’

  ‘To put it bluntly, we’re in
financial difficulties.’ Hector picked up a decanter and poured a measure of brandy into a glass. He raised it to his lips and took a sip. ‘Luxuries like this will have to be forfeited. We’ll have to manage with fewer servants and cut down on the outdoor staff as well.’

  ‘Why, darling?’ Eloise asked anxiously. ‘What has brought about this ghastly state of affairs? Surely there’s been some mistake?’

  ‘No, Mama. I’m afraid it’s even worse. Uncle Dolph made some investments that have failed spectacularly. He’d taken out a large mortgage on Grantley in order to purchase the shares and it has to be repaid, which might mean putting the whole estate and the house up for sale.’

  Toby dropped his glass and it shattered on the brass fender. ‘There must be something we can do, Hector.’

  ‘I spent the day with our solicitor, and he can’t see any other way out of this mess.’

  ‘Surely not, darling?’ Eloise clutched her hands to her cheeks. ‘Why weren’t we told of this sooner? I can’t believe that Freddie Beauchamp would let us down so badly.’

  ‘Mr Beauchamp died two months ago, Mama. Apparently a letter was sent to Uncle Dolph informing him that Beauchamp’s partner was to take over from him.’

  ‘It must be on his desk. I never open Dolph’s post. It wouldn’t be seemly for me to pry into his affairs.’ Eloise closed her eyes and leaned back against the silk cushions. ‘This is a nightmare. I’ll wake up in a minute and find it was just a bad dream.’

  ‘Who is the new man?’ Toby asked anxiously. ‘Do we know him, Hector?’

  ‘He’s the senior solicitor now. His name is Galloway.’

  Angel’s breath caught in her throat as a vision of the workhouse flashed before her eyes. ‘Geoffrey Galloway?’

  ‘Yes, I believe so.’ Hector gave her a searching look. ‘Do you know him, Angel?’

  ‘How would a girl from the street know a solicitor?’ Susannah demanded bitterly.

  ‘Allow her to answer.’ Hector lowered his voice. ‘Are you all right, Angel? You look as though you’ve seen a ghost.’

  ‘If it’s the same Geoffrey Galloway, he’s the man who separated me from Aunt Cordelia and placed me in the workhouse.’ The words came out in a horrified whisper.

  ‘Don’t be silly, Angel,’ Eloise said crossly. ‘I’m sure our solicitor is above reproach.’

  ‘I must say I didn’t take to the man.’ Hector downed his drink in one gulp. ‘But there’s not much I can do in the short time I have left at home. The fact remains that we are virtually bankrupt, and I have to return to my regiment tomorrow. I wish I could stay and see you through this difficult time, but I’d be shot as a deserter if I didn’t return to Natal Province.’

  Susannah rose to her feet with a gasp of annoyance. ‘That’s right, Hector. Do what you always do and run away. Go back to playing soldiers and leave us to face losing our home and everything we treasure.’ She fled from the room, slamming the door behind her.

  ‘I don’t always agree with Susannah when she has a tantrum,’ Eloise said, sighing heavily, ‘but this time I do think you could put us first, Hector. I’m sure the army would understand.’

  Hector opened his mouth to reply but Toby spoke first. ‘I’m afraid he’s right, Mama. Hector is a professional soldier and he has to leave, but perhaps I can do something.’

  ‘I’d help if I could,’ Humphrey said sadly. ‘But I wouldn’t know where to start.’

  ‘We can all do something.’ Angel had kept quiet until now, but she was not going to stand by and say nothing when Hector was being unfairly criticised. ‘I don’t know much about the army, but I do know that Hector would stay if it were possible. I’ll do anything I can to save Grantley Park. You took me in, Aunt Eloise, even though you didn’t want to, and for that I’ll always be grateful. You are my family and I love you all.’

  Hector took her hand in his and his dark eyes shone with gratitude. ‘Thank you, Angel. I’ve arranged for my salary to be paid into Mama’s account at the bank, and with a bit of luck we might be able to persuade our creditors to give us more time. The unrest in Natal Province can’t go on for ever, and might yet be resolved with diplomacy, and then I’ll return and resign my commission.’ He turned to his mother with a pleading look. ‘If you can keep going until then, putting the necessary economies in place, I’ll give up my career in the military and devote myself to running the estate. We might have to sell some of the land, but I hope we can keep Grantley.’

  ‘I’ll leave Rugby,’ Humphrey said eagerly. ‘I’ll stay at home and work in the stables or in the garden.’

  Hector nodded. ‘It might come to that, old chap. Galloway is coming here tomorrow to go over the figures with me.’ He glanced at Toby. ‘There’s no question of you leaving Oxford before you take your finals, and we might need a good solicitor if this chap Galloway is the same person who treated Angel so despicably.’

  ‘I’d take great pleasure in suing the bounder.’ Toby raised himself from his chair and went to pour himself another drink. ‘Might as well enjoy the stuff if we’re going to forgo it in the future. I suppose my allowance will dry up, Hector?’

  ‘You’ll just have to get used to frugal living,’ Hector said with a wry smile. ‘Or you could find gainful employment. I believe others less fortunate than we are have to work their way through university.’

  Eloise rose to her feet. ‘Stop it, both of you. I feel quite unwell and I’m going to my room. I trust you to sort matters out tomorrow, Hector.’

  He hurried to open the door for her. ‘Good night, Mama. Try not to worry. I’m sure we’ll find a solution.’ He turned to Angel with an encouraging smile. ‘I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. I haven’t eaten all day.’

  ‘I’m hungry too. I’ll go to the kitchen and find something for us to eat.’

  ‘You could try ringing the bell,’ Toby said lazily. ‘We have servants to do that, Angel, or have you forgotten?’

  ‘Lil and Dolly are in London, and Cook and Flossie will have retired for the evening. I’m not helpless like you boys.’

  ‘Quite right,’ Hector said approvingly. ‘I’ll come with you, Angel.’

  ‘I’d be surprised if you know where to find the kitchen,’ Angel said over her shoulder.

  ‘That’s where you’re mistaken. I used to know when Cook had made jam tarts or mince pies and I’d hang around the kitchen until she relented and gave me one or two. I’m used to bivouacking, so I’m not entirely helpless.’

  ‘We’ll see.’

  Half an hour later Angel and Hector were seated at the kitchen table finishing their meal of fried ham and eggs. ‘That was excellent. Thank you, Angel.’ Hector sat back in his chair, sipping a cup of tea. ‘Who taught you to cook?’

  She replaced her knife and fork, smiling. ‘There’s not much to frying a couple of slices of ham and adding some eggs to the pan, but like you, I used to loiter in Aunt Cordelia’s kitchen and watch Cook, although she had no time for children. But Lil would always stand up for me and Cook was scared of Lil.’ She laughed. ‘Who wouldn’t be? If you’d ever seen Lil in a temper you’d know what I mean.’

  ‘Lil Heavitree would make a wonderful sergeant major. She’d put the fear of God into the enemy as well as the troops.’

  ‘But she’s a good friend, and she’s taking care of Dolly. You don’t mind them using your house in London, do you?’

  ‘It belongs to Uncle Dolph, but he’s far away and you said they’ll be returning in a couple of days’ time, so no harm done.’

  Angel toyed with her knife, avoiding meeting his gaze. ‘If your Mr Galloway is the same man who abandoned me in the workhouse, what will you do?’

  ‘Describe the man you knew.’

  ‘He was tall and thin. He was going bald but he had mutton-chop whiskers and a bushy ginger moustache and a little beard. I used to think he was nice when I was small because he always had a poke of sweets in his pocket for me, but he changed completely after he had sent Aunt Cordelia to live with hi
s sister.’

  Hector frowned as he replaced his cup on its saucer. ‘Then it must be the same fellow. His whiskers are grey now, but your description fits him perfectly.’

  ‘What will you do?’

  ‘Are you willing to face him again?’

  ‘Yes, most certainly.’

  ‘Then leave him to me, Angel. I won’t allow anyone to hurt you ever again.’

  Geoffrey Galloway rose from the leather chair in Hector’s study as Angel entered the room, and his oily smile was replaced by a shocked expression that might, in any other circumstances, have made her laugh.

  ‘Yes, this is the man, Hector,’ she said evenly. Her heart was pounding and memories of their last encounter threatened to overwhelm her, but somehow she managed to remain poised and calm. ‘This is the person who lied to my aunt and left me in the workhouse.’

  Galloway’s cheeks flooded with colour, which faded instantly, leaving him pallid and sickly-looking. ‘You misread my motives, Angel, my dear. I left you in the care of the workhouse master and his good wife, because I was living in bachelor rooms with no facilities to look after a young girl. I fully intended to take you to the country …’

  ‘I don’t believe you,’ Angel said hotly. ‘You promised Aunt Cordelia that you would look after me.’

  ‘You must understand that Mr Wilding’s demise was sudden and unexpected,’ Galloway said cautiously. ‘We were all thrown into a state of confusion.’

  ‘I’ve heard enough.’ Hector stood up and walked slowly round his desk to face Galloway. ‘I don’t want you handling my family’s affairs.’

  Galloway made a swift recovery. ‘It’s not your decision, Captain Devane. My firm represents Sir Adolphus and only he can terminate our agreement. I am now senior partner in the business, so I fear you will have to deal with me. The alternative is to allow the creditors to foreclose on the mortgage.’

  Angel stifled a gasp of dismay, but Hector’s expression remained impassive. He might as well have been carved from marble for all the emotion he showed.

  ‘You are a crook and a mountebank, Galloway. My uncle will hear of this when I return to Natal Province. In the meantime I expect you to conduct the matter befitting a man of your profession. If you fail me I’ll report you to the Law Institution or whatever the governing body of lawyers and barristers is now called.’