Ragged Rose

by Dilly Court

  ‘I was just checking to make sure we hadn’t left anything behind, and I wanted to be certain that you were satisfied with the arrangements.’

  ‘It doesn’t please me, miss. This is a sad day for St Matthew’s and for the whole community. I never thought I’d live to see such goings-on.’

  ‘Perhaps I could trouble you one last time for some tea?’ Rose said tactfully.

  ‘It’s quite all right,’ Vere said hastily. ‘I called on the off chance of seeing you, Miss Perkins. I can see this is not the best time.’

  ‘I’ll bring tea to the parlour. My legs aren’t as young as they used to be, but it’s no trouble.’ Mrs Blunt hobbled off in the direction of the back stairs, holding her hand to her hip as if to demonstrate that each movement was acutely painful.

  Rose led the way to the parlour, which looked strangely denuded without the familiar things that had made it home. There were ghostly shapes on the wallpaper where pictures had been removed, and the mantelshelf was bare of ornaments and the black slate clock that had ticked away Rose’s childhood. The empty grate made the room seem chilly and unwelcoming, and their footsteps echoed on the bare boards.

  ‘I’m sorry that you’ve caught us at such an inopportune moment,’ Rose said hastily. ‘We had no choice but to find other accommodation.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’ Vere glanced at the shabby, threadbare sofa and chairs. ‘What brought you to this, if I may ask?’

  Rose sat on the sofa, folding her hands in her lap as she made an effort to sound calm and unruffled. ‘The shock of Billy’s downfall was too much for our father. He decided to retire and join Mama, who was recuperating from an illness in Dorset.’

  ‘And he left you and your sister alone in London?’ Vere’s sharp response echoed off the bare walls. ‘That seems harsh treatment and quite unfair.’

  ‘Perhaps, but Papa has strong views and he was extremely upset.’ Rose motioned him to sit. ‘Please make yourself comfortable. Mrs Blunt will bring tea shortly.’

  He perched on the edge of an upright chair. ‘Presumably he has given up his living, so where will you and your sister go now?’

  ‘We’re not children, Mr Tressidick. Cora and I are quite capable of looking after ourselves. We’re in the process of moving in with our aunt, who lives not too far from here.’ Rose shot him a sideways glance. She did not know why he had chosen to visit them, but there was little point in lying. ‘Aunt Polly takes care of women who are less fortunate than others.’

  Vere raised an eyebrow. ‘Does your father know you intend to live in such a place?’

  ‘You make it sound disreputable. I can assure you that it is a charitable institution and perfectly respectable.’ Rose stood up at the sound of footsteps and went to open the door for Mrs Blunt, who marched in and placed the tray on a table with a loud thud.

  ‘Will you be staying long, Miss Rose?’

  ‘No. I’ll be off very soon. Thank you for the tea.’

  Mrs Blunt sniffed and retreated.

  ‘Your cook seems unhappy,’ Vere said drily. ‘I can’t say I’m surprised. Does Bennett know that you have lost your home?’

  ‘It’s not his concern.’ Rose poured the tea and handed him a cup. ‘I’ve tried to contact him because I hoped he might help me to find out what has happened to Billy. Maybe his man, Scully, could investigate on my behalf. I’m working now so I can pay.’

  ‘You’re working?’

  ‘Cora and I will be appearing at the Grecian Theatre from next week onwards.’ Rose met his disapproving glance with a straight look. ‘I’m not ashamed to admit it.’

  Vere abandoned his tea and stood up. ‘Rose, I can’t sit here and pretend that none of this matters.’

  She stared at him in astonishment. ‘I don’t understand.’

  ‘I’m not an emotional man. I don’t display my feelings, but this is an unacceptable situation.’ He gazed at her, apparently at a loss for words.

  ‘I don’t see that it’s any of your business, Mr Tressidick. You were kind enough to allow me to stay in your home and for that I am very grateful.’

  ‘Let me have my say. I know it must sound odd, but I came here because I had to see you again, Rose. I thought that once you had left Portmorna things would go back to how they were before you arrived, but I was mistaken. I’ve been a bachelor for so long that I couldn’t imagine any other way of life, but your presence in my home changed everything. It was as if the house awakened from a long sleep, and I can’t get you out of my mind, no matter how hard I try.’

  ‘I don’t know what to say.’ Rose was suddenly nervous. This was not the same, self-assured man she had known only briefly in Cornwall. She glanced at the door, preparing to make a quick escape.

  ‘I’m not mad,’ he said as if reading her thoughts. He paced the floor. ‘Well, perhaps it is a form of insanity.’ He came to a halt in front of her and grasped her hands. ‘In my clumsy way I’m trying to tell you that I have missed your company more than I would have thought possible. Your presence turned a mausoleum into a home, and without you my life seems strangely empty.’

  Rose snatched her hands free. ‘Please stop, Mr Tressidick. I’m not sure what it is you want of me, but please don’t go any further.’

  He hung his head. ‘I’m sorry. I’m putting it very badly, but I’ve never asked a woman to marry me before.’

  ‘This really is madness,’ Rose said shakily. ‘You don’t love me. You don’t even know me.’

  ‘I know all I need to know, and if this isn’t love I don’t know what is.’ He made a move towards her, but she held him at arm’s length.

  ‘I’m very flattered, but my answer has to be no. I’m sorry, Vere. I don’t have any feelings for you. I’m not sure I even like you.’

  ‘I don’t think that matters, Rose. We could live together amicably, of that I am certain.’ He hesitated, as if considering the matter in more depth. ‘As far as I can see you are in need of a home, and I am in need of a wife.’

  ‘I understand that, but my answer remains the same.’ She stood up and edged towards the door. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me I have things to do.’

  ‘I should not have sprung it on you like this,’ Vere said hastily. ‘I don’t know how to woo a woman. My life has been devoted to business matters and little else. Won’t you at least think about my offer?’

  She hesitated. ‘I don’t want to hurt your feelings, and I’m very flattered by your proposal, but even if I were so inclined I don’t think I’m the right person for you. I like the country but I love London. Cora and I are the Sunshine Sisters, and we’ll be appearing nightly at the Grecian Theatre. We’re doing it because we must earn our living, but I have to admit that I love entertaining people. When I step out on the stage I’m the real me.’

  Vere stared at her, frowning. ‘You can’t mean that, Rose.’

  ‘But I do.’

  ‘Then it seems that there’s nothing else to say.’

  ‘I’m truly sorry.’

  His expression brightened. ‘I am not so easily put off. I’ve come this far and I’ve laid my soul bare before you. The least you can do is to give yourself time to think things over, Rose.’ He held up his hand as she opened her mouth to protest. ‘I intend to stay in London for a week or two. I have some business to attend to in the City, and with your permission I will call on you in a day or so.’

  ‘I’m afraid I’ll be very busy.’

  ‘I’ll call anyway, and I’ll come to the theatre to watch you and your sister perform.’ He made a move towards the door. ‘I am prepared to enter your world, Rose. The least you can do is to give me a fair chance.’

  She remained in the room long after he had gone, his parting words ringing in her ears. She was in a state of disbelief, although in her heart she knew that what he had proposed was the basis of many marriages, some of them successful. If she married Vere she would have a position in society and a secure future. Portmorna House was a desirable residence, large enough for Cora to live wi
th them if she wished. If she married into the Tressidick family it would be Bennett’s duty to clear Billy’s name. She came back to earth with a jolt: Bennett would work just as hard if she approached him as a paying client. It was easy to imagine how he would react if she accepted Vere’s offer of marriage. A vision of his cynical smile made her blush, even though there was no one to witness her embarrassment. She gathered up the cups and placed them on the tray, and was about to take it downstairs to the kitchen when Mrs Blunt burst into the room.

  ‘I’m sorry, Miss Rose. I heard the front door shut and I thought you must have left.’

  ‘I wouldn’t have gone without saying goodbye and to thank you for all the years you’ve cared for me and my family.’

  Mrs Blunt took a hankie from her sleeve and blew her nose. ‘There, there, miss. I was just doing my duty. It’s a sad day for me.’

  ‘I’m sure Mr Hart will be a good employer, and I hope he secures the incumbency on a permanent basis.’ Rose placed the tray in Mrs Blunt’s out-stretched hands. ‘Goodbye, dear Mrs Blunt.’ Rose leaned over to kiss the cook’s ruddy cheek. She left before either of them had a chance to break down in tears.

  Rose decided not to tell Aunt Polly or Cora about Vere’s unexpected arrival and even more surprising proposal of marriage. She could only hope that he would realise the futility of his quest and return to Cornwall. Overnight she convinced herself that a convenient marriage was not for her. Better to starve on the street than to live the rest of her life with a man she did not love. She would, she decided, devote herself to her new career and use all her resources to prove Billy’s innocence and bring him home safe and sound.

  She ate a hasty breakfast, served by Maisie, who was clearly delighted with her new position. Rose knew only too well that Mrs Blunt had disapproved of Maisie, but Ethel had lived a hard life and she had suffered a similar loss. It might not make her overly sympathetic but she seemed to know how to get the best out of the girl, and Rose was pleased to see Maisie reverting to her old, cheeky self. She suspected that Tommy had something to do with bringing the smile back to Maisie’s face, and Sukey seemed pleased to have someone to help her in the general running of the house. Cora was happy in her own way, but Rose suspected that Gerard Barclay was the main reason for the sparkle in her sister’s eyes. Cora seemed unperturbed by their change in circumstances, leaving Rose to wonder if she herself was the only one who missed their parents and the old way of life, dull though it might have been. She rose from the table, intent on going out before anyone was up.

  Polly was still in bed and Cora had not yet put in an appearance, which suited Rose very well as she intended to call on Bennett. There was little point in involving them in her plans until she was certain that there was a definite possibility of clearing Billy’s name, and she set off for Lincoln’s Inn, telling Maisie that she was going shopping for ribbons and a new bonnet.

  It was still early when she arrived at Bennett’s chambers and his clerk, Frostwick, was not particularly forthcoming. Rose suspected that the clerk saw everything from a financial point of view, and that he doubted she had the wherewithal to pay Sharpe’s fee. It was a fine May morning and she decided to wait in the square. The London plane trees were in full leaf, and the elegant buildings in the old square exuded a quiet air of permanence. She sat on a bench beneath a tree and prepared to wait all day if necessary. The sun was warm and the birds were in full song. Her night’s sleep had been disturbed by the wailing of babies. She had lain awake in the small hours, her mind filled with Vere’s unexpected proposal and worries for Billy’s safety, and now she was tired. She was drifting off when she heard someone speak her name. At first she thought she was dreaming, but then a hand on her shoulder jolted her wide awake. She looked up and saw Bennett staring down at her.

  ‘What are you doing here, Rose?’

  ‘I came to see you. Your clerk didn’t seem to want me to wait in your chambers so I thought I’d enjoy the sunshine.’

  ‘What did you want to see me about?’

  ‘I should have thought it was obvious.’

  ‘I suspect it has to do with your brother.’

  ‘Of course it does. I’ve tried to see you several times and you’re never here, or you’re tied up in court. You’re a hard man to track down.’

  He sat down beside her. ‘As a matter of fact I went to Oxford to see Gawain’s friends. I wasn’t satisfied with what they told me in Cornwall.’

  ‘Do you think they were lying?’

  ‘I don’t know if that was the case, or whether it was a memory pushed to the back of Toby’s mind by the shock of finding Gawain murdered.’

  ‘So what did he say? Don’t keep me in suspense.’

  He gave her a long look. ‘Are you seriously considering Vere’s proposal?’

  She recoiled, shocked by the sudden change in the conversation. ‘How do you know about that?’

  ‘He came to my lodgings last evening. I’ve never seen him in such a state. He told me what he’d done and asked my advice.’

  ‘What did you tell him?’

  ‘I told him not to rush you into making a decision that you might both regret.’

  ‘Spoken like a lawyer,’ she said, turning her head away.

  ‘That’s because I am a lawyer. What would you have had me say?’

  ‘You could have told him that I know my own mind. He didn’t seem to believe that I was serious when I refused his proposal.’

  ‘He’s a wealthy man, Rose. You would live in comfort for the rest of your life, and he’s not a bad fellow, once you get to know him.’

  ‘Why are we speaking of this? I don’t wish to be rude, but it has nothing to do with you, Bennett. You were going to tell me more about Gawain’s friend.’

  ‘Yes, of course.’ He stared straight ahead, frowning. ‘Edric remembered nothing, but Toby had a vague recollection of momentarily regaining consciousness. He said he saw someone bending over Gawain’s inert body, and the fellow had a blood-stained knife in his hand. Toby could not be sure who it was, but he’s certain that Billy was lying beside him, dead to the world. He thinks he must have lapsed into unconsciousness because he remembers nothing until he came round to find the police examining the body.’

  ‘Then that proves it wasn’t Billy. He’ll be exonerated as we hoped.’

  ‘It’s not that easy, Rose.’ He met her anxious gaze with a glimmer of sympathy in his dark eyes. ‘Billy is still on the run. We have to find him and bring him home for his trial, and that isn’t going to be easy.’

  Rose leaped to her feet. ‘I don’t care,’ she cried passionately. ‘I’ll find my brother even if I have to swim to France and walk the length and breadth of the country.’

  ‘I was going to suggest that we might employ Scully to that effect.’

  ‘You’re right, of course, and I’ll soon be in a position to hire his services.’ She shot him a sideways glance. ‘Signor Fancello had to close his saloon in Cupid’s Court, and now he’s acting as our manager. Cora and I will shortly be appearing at the Grecian Theatre for an indefinite period.’

  ‘You surprise me. Do you really trust this man to look after your best interests when his own business was a total failure?’

  ‘It wouldn’t have happened if his family hadn’t deserted him. He depends upon us as much as we depend upon him.’

  ‘Be careful, that’s all I can say. If he offers you a written contract I suggest you might like to show it to me before you sign.’ He stood up and proffered his arm. ‘Scully will probably be loitering in one of the public houses in Fleet Street, where he gathers information from some of his more nefarious contacts.’ His lips curved in a quizzical smile. ‘Would it be an insult to ask a vicar’s daughter to accompany me? We might have to visit one or two such dens of iniquity before we find him.’

  Rose slipped her hand through the crook of his arm. ‘You’re forgetting that I performed on stage in Fancello’s saloon. My education has been broadened considerably, and I expect i
t to expand even more when working at the Grecian.’

  His smile faded. ‘There must be other ways for you and Cora to support yourselves until you decide to wed.’

  ‘Cora will marry one day, but I’m not sure marriage is for me. I saw my mother dominated by my father until she became a mere shadow of herself.’

  ‘It doesn’t have to be like that, Rose. I don’t remember my mother, but I’ve been told that she and my father were happily married, and well-matched.’

  ‘I’m sorry. It must have been very hard on you to lose both your parents at such a young age.’

  He shrugged, staring straight ahead, his expression carefully controlled. ‘I can’t complain about my childhood. I was happy enough, and Vere, Gawain and I were like brothers, which is the main reason I intend to see that justice is done.’

  ‘I understand,’ Rose said gently. ‘It was for a similar reason that Cora and I became the Sunshine Sisters. We were desperate to help Billy, but if I’m honest I was doing it for myself as well. I can’t speak for Cora, but I love singing and dancing, and the applause from the audience makes me feel special. I suppose you think that’s vain and frivolous.’

  ‘No, as a matter of fact I admire your honesty. I can’t see anything wrong in entertaining people and making them happy. Life is hard enough as it is, and happiness is an elusive emotion.’

  ‘Bennett,’ she said, laughing, ‘you sound like a poet, and I thought you were a hard-headed lawyer dealing only in facts.’

  ‘I have a heart and a soul just the same as you or my cousin Vere. I just don’t wear it on my sleeve.’ He came to a halt outside a pub. ‘We’ll try this one first.’

  Rose followed him into the smoky interior, blinking as her eyes grew used to the dim light. The drone of male voices was interspersed with bursts of raucous laughter, and the smell of ale and spirits mingled with tobacco smoke and the odour of sweating humanity. Bennett appeared to be well known, and was greeted in a friendly manner by some, while others turned their backs on him. Rose waited by the door while he went to the bar to question the potman. He returned almost immediately. ‘Scully hasn’t been here for several days. I know he frequents the George, so we’ll try there next.’