by Dilly Court
‘You didn’t steal it from the orchard at Grantley, did you?’
‘We heard that you’re the owner now, and I did it for you, so it wasn’t theft.’
‘News certainly gets around, but it’s not true. Percy has paid off the creditors because he wanted to help me, but Grantley will always be Hector’s home. The family took me in and I’ll be forever grateful.’
‘And the same people threw you out. I know all about it, Angel. Cook told Prissy Russell and she told Ma. They were at school together so they share all the gossip. That Susannah is an ungrateful bitch and she’s always been jealous of you.’
Angel placed the kettle on the hob. ‘You’re entitled to your opinion, but why are you here?’
‘Aren’t you pleased to see me?’
He moved a little closer and she could smell the frosty air on his clothes, and the earthy scent that clung to his boots. Tall, broad-shouldered and muscular, Danny was the epitome of the outdoors, and as strong and dependable as nature itself. She was ridiculously pleased to see him and the temptation to hug and be hugged back was almost too much to bear.
‘Of course I am,’ she said, turning her attention to the tea caddy, which was almost empty.
He covered her hand with his. ‘I’ll treat you to a mug of coffee and a ham roll at the stall down the road.’
‘What about the mistletoe? You’ll need an early start if you’re going to take it to Covent Garden.’
‘It’s yours, Angel. It didn’t take a genius to work out that you’d been sent packing without a penny to your name. That seems to be the way the gentry treat people like us. We’re disposable, like the rubbish they put out for the dustman.’
‘That’s not fair, Danny. I’ve been well treated, apart from Susannah.’
‘And Mrs Devane,’ Danny added. ‘You were little more than a servant in her eyes. But never mind them. Come with me now. We’ll have breakfast and then I’ll help you sell the mistletoe. If Dolly wasn’t in the family way she could have joined us.’
‘Do you know everything that’s been going on at Grantley?’
He picked up his cap and muffler. ‘Prissy keeps Ma well informed. They meet up once a week for tea and cake and gossip. Get your coat and bonnet, girl. We’ve got work to do.’
A fresh coating of snow had fallen during the night, and, despite the footprints of early risers, there were patches of virginal white sparkling in the gaslight like a sequin-encrusted ball gown. The sky seemed darker just before dawn, and the hard-packed snow muffled the sound of horses’ hoofs, and the crunch of wooden wheels on the cobblestones. It was bitterly cold and cabbies and carters were muffled up to their eyes, while steam billowed from the horses’ bodies, and their breath curled into clouds above their heads.
Angel clutched Danny’s arm as they made their way to the coffee stand. The stallholder huddled close to the brazier, and stopped work every now and then to blow on his numbed fingers. The tip of his nose was bright red and his teeth were chattering, but he greeted them cheerfully enough.
Danny purchased two ham rolls and two cups of coffee, laced with sugar. They leaned against a shop window while they ate in companionable silence and sipped their hot drinks. Angel glanced at Danny, who was watching her with a look that made her breath catch in her throat. The boy had grown into a man, and she knew at that moment that his feelings towards her were the same, if not stronger. She drank what was left in the mug and replaced it on the stall.
‘Ta, mate,’ she said, smiling. ‘That’s given me a good start to the day.’
The man peered at her bleary-eyed. ‘I’m glad someone is happy. I got ten kids to feed and clothe.’
Danny flipped a coin in his direction. ‘Merry Christmas, mate.’
The man caught it and stuffed it into his pocket. ‘Same to you, sir.’
‘Let’s go to work.’ Danny hefted a sack of mistletoe over his shoulder. ‘Let’s get this lot sold first.’
Angel fell into step beside him. ‘How can you afford to give away a silver sixpence, Danny? Have you robbed a bank?’
‘We’ve been working hard all year, and I’ve got ambition. Pa might be happy with his stall in Covent Garden, but I intend to expand the business.’
‘How would you do that?’
‘I’m not depending on Devane to let us have use of the greenhouse, and I’ve got my eye on a piece of land I want to buy. Before you know it I’ll be supplying fruit and vegetables to Covent Garden.’
‘That’s wonderful, Danny. But perhaps we’d better start selling the mistletoe or Christmas will be over.’
‘I know I talk too much, but I have ideas tumbling about my brain. One day I’ll be a rich man and own a big house. My wife and family won’t want for anything.’
‘Let’s start small, shall we? A halfpenny for a big bunch?’
Danny pulled a sprig of mistletoe from the sack and held it over her head. ‘Mistletoe fresh from the countryside. Gentlemen, it’s the only time you can kiss a girl without getting your face slapped.’ He leaned over to plant a kiss on Angel’s lips, much to the enjoyment of a group of young men in city suits, who were about to enter a bank building.
‘I’ll have a bunch, cully.’ One of the men, slightly younger than the others, handed over a penny. ‘Now I’ll have twice as much chance,’ he said, chuckling. ‘May I kiss the young lady, too?’
‘Not a chance, mate,’ Danny said, grinning.
A small crowd had gathered and Danny repeated the act several times. Angel had never been kissed so often in her whole life, but she responded gamely, and to her surprise she found she was enjoying the experience. They sold the first sack easily enough, and had to return to Naked Boy Court to fetch the remainder. Danny changed his line of patter to suit the passers-by. Shy young men walking with their sweethearts needed gentle humour to give them the courage to buy, but plump housewives, bustling to market, needed more charm and the promise of receiving a kiss from their husbands or lovers. Danny did not disappoint – he seemed to have a natural gift for selling, and Angel could not help but be impressed.
By mid-afternoon they had sold all the mistletoe. Gaslights flickered in shop windows as they made their way along Fleet Street, heading towards Ludgate Hill, and naphtha flares on costermongers’ barrows sent long shadows dancing across slushy cart tracks on the street surface. Bunches of red-berried holly hung in shop doorways and the windows were filled with pyramids of rosy red apples and oranges stuck with cloves. The scent of citrus peel and cinnamon wafted from bakers’ shops and game of all types dangled outside the butchers, with plump turkeys centre stage.
‘You must be hungry,’ Danny said, taking Angel’s hand and tucking it in the crook of his arm. ‘There’s an eel pie and mash shop not far from here.’
‘I haven’t tasted eel pie since I was a child,’ Angel said eagerly. ‘Uncle Joseph was fond of eel pie but Aunt Cordelia thought it was only common, vulgar people who frequented such places.’
‘She didn’t know what she was missing.’ Danny guided her into a narrow court and the savoury smell of pie and mash, laced with parsley liquor drifted in tempting waves from the open door. The café was small, poorly lit and crowded with working men, but Danny found them a table close to the window and he returned from the counter carrying two steaming plates piled high with mashed potato and a glistening golden pie.
Angel had not realised how hungry she was and she tucked in, savouring each tasty mouthful.
‘I like to see a girl with a good appetite,’ Danny said, chuckling. ‘There’s only one person who can cook better than this and that’s Ma.’
Angel nodded, licking a crumb of pastry from her lips. ‘You’re right, of course. I haven’t seen your parents for a while. Are they keeping well?’
‘They’re just the same as ever, but working hard.’ Danny put his knife and fork down, and was suddenly serious. ‘There’s something I haven’t told you.’
‘What is it?’ Angel dropped her fork onto her plate with a clatte
r. ‘What’s happened?’
‘I didn’t know how you’d feel about it, but the bit of land I mentioned is part of the Grantley estate and Pa and I intend to make an offer.’
Angel stared at him in amazement and then she laughed. ‘You’re joking, of course.’
‘Not at all. Pa is friendly with Curzon, Sir Eugene’s land agent. Apparently Grantley’s creditors were asking more than your brother wanted to pay. Pa used his life savings and mine to put in an offer for the orchard and the ten-acre field to the east of the deer park. It’s been lying fallow for years.’
Angel sipped her tea, staring at him over the rim of the thick white cup. ‘I know where you mean, but what would you do with the land?’
‘We plan to go into fruit growing as well as expanding the market garden. We’ve been adding to our produce gradually and now is the time to expand.’
‘Why Grantley?’
‘Because it’s close enough to manage, and I wanted to do it for you, Angel. Your brother has put in a bid for the house, which includes the gardens and the deer park, as well as the common land, and we added our offer. We’re just waiting to find out if it’s been accepted.’
She withdrew her hand, frowning. ‘I don’t want to take the house and land away from Hector and the boys.’ She pulled a face. ‘Susannah would have something to say about this.’
‘If you were a vindictive woman you could treat her as she treated you and throw her out.’
Angel met his amused gaze with a smile. ‘I could, but that would be too harsh. In a way I can’t blame her because I was the interloper.’
‘Not any more. You are Angel Montgomerie and your brother is a wealthy man.’
‘I hope it works out for you and your father, Danny, and I’m glad that you’re doing well. If I truly owned the land I would have given it to you for nothing. Your parents are wonderful, and you are a true friend.’
‘You know I want to be more than that, Angel. I’ve loved you since you were a skinny little girl, and now you’re a beautiful young woman. I’d give my life for you.’
Angel dropped her gaze. Danny’s eyes mirrored his feelings to such a degree that it hurt to look at him. ‘I’m sorry, but …’
‘But you’re still in love with Hector. You might find that your knight in shining armour isn’t the perfect being you’ve imagined him to be, Angel. For God’s sake, we’re just men and we’re human, but I love you truly and always will.’ Danny pushed back his chair and stood up. ‘It’s time I saw you home.’
They parted outside the house in Naked Boy Court. ‘We can still be friends, can’t we?’ Angel said shyly.
‘I’ll always be there for you, if that’s what you mean, but perhaps it’s better if we don’t see too much of each other for a while.’
‘I’m truly sorry if I’ve hurt you, or if I’ve given you the wrong impression …’
He shook his head. ‘It’s not your fault. You can’t help the way you feel any more than I can.’ He put his hand in his pocket and took out a bag of coins. ‘You’ve earned this today.’
‘But we did it together. Half of the takings are yours.’
‘I’ve enjoyed today, don’t spoil it. Merry Christmas, Angel.’ He opened the gate and was gone before she had a chance to respond.
She remained standing in the snowy courtyard, oblivious to the cold and the sleety rain that had started to fall. The day that had begun so well had ended badly and the feeling of loss was an actual pain, stabbing her in the heart. She was tempted to run after Danny and call him back, but that would be cruel if she could not give him what he desired above all things, and yet … Was it possible to be in love with two men? Both of whom she had known since childhood, and complete opposites to each other. Hector, the gallant soldier; handsome, charming and well-bred. Danny, a man of the soil; honest, hard-working and loyal.
She knocked on the door and waited.
‘Good grief, what’s wrong with you?’ Lil demanded. ‘Come inside before you catch your death of cold.’
Chapter Twenty-Five
The first that Angel knew of Percy and Blanche’s return from honeymoon was when Percy arrived at the front door with an armful of presents. He had not forgotten anyone, even Baines. Angel showed him into the kitchen, which was the only warm room in the house as they were being forced to economise on coal. The money she had earned selling mistletoe was being used frugally, but at least they had candles and enough fuel to last until Christmas, which was now only two days away.
Percy laid the gifts on the kitchen table. ‘They’re just small things,’ he said happily. ‘Mementoes of our travels, which were wonderful. No doubt Blanche will tell you all about it when you see her, Angel.’
‘Are you going to Westwood for Christmas, Percy?’
He shook his head. ‘I doubt if we would be welcome.’
‘Blanche is Sir Eugene’s only daughter. I’m sure he’ll come round in time,’ Angel said earnestly. ‘So do you intend to stay in London?’
‘I thought that as you are the new owner of Grantley you would like to spend Christmas in your old home.’
Angel’s hand flew to her mouth. ‘Your offer has been accepted?’
‘Indeed it has. I went to see my solicitor yesterday and signed all the necessary documents. It was quite straightforward.’
‘You’ll have a battle on your hands,’ Lil said darkly. ‘Miss Susannah isn’t going to give up without a fight. She thinks she owns Grantley and a signature on a bit of paper won’t make her change her mind.’
‘Lil’s right.’ Angel sank down on the nearest chair. ‘And to be honest Susannah has more right to be there than I do.’
‘Nonsense,’ Percy said firmly. ‘You are the owner of Grantley now, my dear. I made certain your name is the one on the deeds and no one can take it from you.’
Stunned by his generosity, Angel took a moment to digest the full meaning of his words. ‘But it was your money, Percy. I can’t allow you to put it in my name only.’
‘I can afford it, Angel. Our father left us a considerable fortune and a proportion of it should have come to you. Besides which, I wanted to put some of my inheritance to good use and to right the wrong that caused you so much suffering.’ He put his hand in his pocket and drew out a folded sheet of paper. ‘I sent for a copy of your birth certificate before I went to Italy.’ He handed it to her, smiling. ‘You’ll see that you were christened Jane Elizabeth after your mother, but I think Angel suits you better.’
She stared at the neat copperplate writing with tears in her eyes. ‘Jane Elizabeth Montgomerie. That really is me?’
He nodded. ‘Yes, it proves beyond doubt that you are the legitimate child of Silas and Jane Montgomerie. My stepmother must have registered your birth, because Galloway wouldn’t have done so. By the way, I gather he has been given a considerable prison sentence, so that’s the last you’ll see of him.’
‘That’s the best news I’ve heard so far.’ Lil tore the paper off her parcel and unfolded a lace shawl. She stroke the soft material, shaking her head. ‘It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, but it’s much too good for the likes of me.’ She folded it again and laid it reverently on the paper. ‘I can’t accept it, sir.’
‘Of course you can,’ Percy said sharply. ‘I chose it myself. It’s French lace, purchased in Paris. My wife and I will be very hurt if you don’t wear it on Christmas Day at Grantley.’
‘You want all of us to spend Christmas there?’ Lil stared at him open-mouthed. ‘Of course, they’ll need extra help in the kitchen.’
‘I think it’s time we recognised you for what you are, Lil,’ Percy said gently. ‘You’ve been Angel’s nursemaid, friend and companion all her life, and you should be treated as such.’
Angel clapped her hands. ‘I agree. We’ve been through so much together, and I’m afraid I’ve taken you for granted, Lil.’
A dull flush stained Lil’s cheeks. ‘I don’t know what to say.’
‘Never mind that,�
�� Baines said testily. ‘What about me, sir? Have I got to shift my bones to Grantley?’
‘You’ve been invited to spend Christmas with your friend Russell and his wife.’ Percy slid a smaller parcel across the table. ‘This is for you, Baines. It’s a new pipe.’
‘I dunno what to say, sir.’ Baines unwrapped the package and took out the pipe. ‘It’s very fine, and you gave me some baccy, too.’
‘I’m glad you like it, Baines.’
‘Much obliged, I’m sure.’ Baines tested the pipe, clenching it between his teeth and nodding. ‘Very fine, sir. Very fine.’
‘How do you know about these arrangements, Percy?’ Angel demanded. ‘Did you go to Grantley before you came here?’
‘I must confess that we arrived home two days ago. I would have called here sooner, but I had a lot to do, including a brief visit to Westwood.’
‘You saw Sir Eugene?’
‘I did.’ Percy pulled up a chair and sat down. ‘I can’t say he welcomed me with open arms, but we came to an agreement. He wasn’t prepared to invite us to stay at Westwood, but he invited us to attend the annual Christmas Eve ball. It’s a start, Angel.’
‘Did he mention Dolly? I haven’t seen her since Belinda took her in hand.’
‘He included her in the invitation, but you’d hardly recognise her. Belle has worked wonders in such a short time, and Dolly has a natural grace and a sweet nature. I don’t see how she can fail to win Sir Eugene’s favour, especially now she’s been given the opportunity to shine.’
‘I hope he will let her stay with Rupert.’
‘One step at a time,’ Percy said, laughing. ‘Let’s hope the spirit of Christmas will bless us all, and make Sir Eugene a little less stiff-necked and more forgiving.’
‘You’ve made me quite breathless, Percy. I can’t believe that you’ve achieved all this in one visit.’
‘You began the changes, Angel. But for you Grantley might have been lost to the Devanes forever, and whether they admit it or not, you are part of their family.’ Percy nodded in the direction of a small package. ‘You still haven’t opened your gift.’