Ragged Rose

by Dilly Court

  Vere ordered for them and the waiter brought a bottle of wine, which he uncorked and waited for Vere to taste before he filled their glasses.

  Vere sat back in his chair while they waited for their food to arrive. ‘Tell me, what happened after I left your aunt’s house?’

  Rose sipped the wine and found it rich and warming. ‘It all happened so quickly. One of the women was in labour, as you probably realised. Aunt Polly went up to see what she could do to help and she was seized upon by Big Bertha, who held a knife to her throat.’

  Vere almost choked on his wine. ‘Good heavens! Why would she do a thing like that?’

  Rose found herself telling him everything that had happened, although she left out the details of the birth itself. Vere listened with interest, interjected at times when he did not understand, and prompted her to talk about her old life in the vicarage. He was a good listener and Rose soon lost any last vestige of shyness she had felt in his company.

  Over a dessert of spotted dick and custard she managed to turn the conversation around, asking him questions about his upbringing in Cornwall. He had been, he admitted, a serious child who was more interested in his studies than roaming the countryside with Gawain and Bennett. They had been privately tutored and Bennett had seemed to absorb his lessons without any noticeable effort, but Vere had had to apply himself to his studies. Gawain, on the other hand, had been far more interested in outdoor pursuits, which included carousing with the Pennecks, getting drunk, and having affairs with married women. Quite how he managed to fit in his studies at Oxford was a mystery. Rose absorbed this in silence. She was gradually building up a picture of how the cousins had grown up together, and beginning to develop an insight into their complex relationship.

  At the end of the evening Vere handed Rose out of the hansom cab, telling the cabby to wait while he saw her to the door. ‘I’m here for a few days more, and I’ve bought a ticket to see the first night of your show. Perhaps we could have supper afterwards.’

  ‘I have enjoyed this evening,’ Rose said carefully, not wanting to hurt his feelings. ‘But I’m not sure it would be such a good idea.’ She knocked on the door.

  ‘You mustn’t worry, Rose. My offer of marriage still stands, but I promise not to mention it again unless you have a change of heart.’

  ‘I can’t think about my future while Billy is a fugitive.’

  He raised her hand to his lips. ‘I understand, and we share a common aim. I can’t rest until my brother’s killer is brought to justice. We must work together, and we will discover the truth, no matter what it costs.’ He stepped away as the door opened. ‘Good night, Rose. I’ll see you again very soon.’

  Rose turned, expecting to see Maisie or Sukey but it was Cora who held the door open. ‘What sort of time do you call this, Miss Perkins? I thought I was the one who stayed out late.’

  Rose stepped inside and closed the door. ‘Vere took me out for supper.’ She glanced at the clock. ‘And it’s only half-past ten.’

  ‘Papa wouldn’t approve,’ Cora said primly, but her blue eyes were sparkling mischievously. ‘You were out with a gentleman, unchaperoned.’

  ‘Isn’t this the case of the pot calling the kettle black?’ Rose gave her a hug. ‘You are such a tease, Corrie. What time did you get home?’

  ‘About ten minutes ago.’ Cora pulled a crumpled letter from her pocket and handed it to her sister. ‘This arrived earlier only I forgot to give it to you. It’s from Papa and it’s addressed to us both, so I opened it.’

  ‘I can’t read it in this dim light,’ Rose said, handing it back to Cora. ‘What does he say?’

  ‘Very little. He obviously hasn’t forgiven us. He’s accepted the incumbency of a parish just a few miles from Lyme Regis. They won’t be coming back to London, Rose. He doesn’t say as much, but I fear that we are in fact orphans.’ Her voice broke on a suppressed sob.

  ‘Of course we’re not,’ Rose said stoutly, although she too was shocked by her father’s decision. ‘He’ll come round eventually, and I’m sure that Mama must miss us as we miss her, but she’ll have to agree with whatever he says.’

  ‘We might never see them again.’

  ‘You talk as though they’re in a foreign country. There’s nothing to stop us visiting them, and I intend to at the first opportunity, but in the meantime we have our own lives to lead.’ Rose took off her bonnet and mantle and hung them on the hallstand. ‘I’m tired. I’m going to bed. We’ll talk about it in the morning.’

  Cora followed her to the staircase. ‘Gerard said his parents want to meet me, and he’s bringing them to the first night of the show. I tried to dissuade him, Rose, but he said his father wouldn’t listen to his protests, and it was out of his hands.’

  ‘Let’s hope he knows best, but I would have thought somewhere less public would have been more suitable.’ Rose hesitated with one foot on the bottom step. ‘Is Aunt Polly still up?’

  Cora moved closer. ‘I saw her go upstairs with Signor Fancello,’ she added in a conspiratorial whisper. ‘They were hand in hand and giggling like naughty children, but I can’t believe that they would do anything improper, not at their age.’

  ‘Nothing would surprise me,’ Rose said wearily. ‘It’s best not to think about it, and anyway it’s none of our business.’

  ‘She’s not proving to be a very good example to us.’ Cora covered her mouth with her hand, stifling a giggle.

  Rose had to bite her lip to stop herself from laughing as she climbed the steep stairs. ‘What a day this has been. I doubt if anything will surprise me ever again.’

  She was proved wrong next day when Bennett and Scully arrived on the doorstep shortly after breakfast. She took them into the parlour and closed the door so that Sukey, who had been hovering in the hallway on the pretext of dusting, could not hear.

  ‘This is unexpected,’ she said, taking a seat by the hearth. ‘Why so early?’

  ‘Scully is about to set off for Cornwall and he has some questions for you concerning William.’ Bennett glanced at the table, which was littered with unwashed glasses and the remains of supper that had been abandoned, half eaten.

  Spartacus had not yet taken up residence in the parlour or he might have attempted to dispose of a dish of sprats, even though it was mostly heads and tails. Rose tried to ignore the smell, curving her lips into a smile.

  ‘How may I help you, Mr Scully?’ She felt herself blushing with shame to think that her aunt and Fancello had left the room in such a state, and then she spotted one of Polly’s satin slippers lying on the floor. The scene it conjured up in her mind was one she did not want to share with her visitors. She nudged the abandoned footwear with the toe of her boot until it was out of sight beneath her chair.

  Scully slumped down on the chaise longue. ‘It’s just Scully, miss. It feels more professional, if you get my meaning.’

  She did not, but she smiled and nodded anyway. ‘Of course.’

  ‘I just need a few details about the said William Perkins, miss. For example, would you know of any friends or acquaintances he might have in the West Country who would be willing to shelter him?’

  ‘None to my knowledge.’

  ‘We are working on the theory that they most probably headed for France. Might I ask a similar question about that particular place?’

  ‘As far as I know Billy has never been abroad.’

  ‘Would you know if he was partial to a bet on the horses, or if he likes to gamble on cards or perhaps other forms of gentlemanly activities?’

  She shook her head. ‘I’ve seen little of my brother since he went to Oxford, but he wasn’t interested in gaming of any sort when he lived at home.’

  Scully put his head on one side. ‘Not likely he’d admit to such a thing when he lived in a vicarage, miss … if you’ll pardon the liberty.’

  ‘I think we’ve got a clearer picture of Billy’s interests, Scully.’ Bennett had been standing by the window, but he turned to him, frowning. ‘It was m
y cousin who was the gambler, and a womaniser. Billy didn’t seem to me to be the sort of friend my cousin would choose.’ He shot an apologetic glance at Rose. ‘I don’t mean that in a derogatory manner. If anything it was a compliment.’

  Rose clasped her hands tightly in her lap. ‘I can’t think of anything that would single Billy out from a crowd, apart from the fact that he seems to have had a relationship with Jenifry, one of the maids at Portmorna House. He was always a very caring brother, and if he is fond of this girl I’m certain he’ll do everything in his power to protect her. I think if you find Jenifry, you’ll find Billy, especially if they’ve gone to France. He wouldn’t abandon her in a foreign country, no matter how difficult things were.’

  ‘I thought as much.’ Bennett nodded to Scully. ‘There you have it. When you arrive in Portmorna make straight for the cottage where the girl’s mother lives. She was very agitated when I last saw her, and I doubt if she is the type of woman who could hide her true feelings. If she has any news of her daughter it should be easy to persuade her to part with it.’

  Scully stood up and jammed his battered bowler hat on his head. ‘I’ll be off then, guv.’

  ‘Send me a telegram if you get word of Billy’s whereabouts, and try the fishermen again and the men working in the docks.’

  ‘Will you be joining me in Cornwall, guv?’

  ‘If you find anything useful I’ll be down on the next train.’ Bennett shook Scully’s hand. ‘I’m relying on you, Scully.’

  Rose jumped to her feet and held out her hand. ‘As am I. Good luck, Scully. I pray that you’ll find out something to set my mind at rest. I can’t sleep at night for worrying about my brother.’

  Scully grinned and tipped his hat. ‘We can’t have that, miss. Trust me, I’ll do me level best.’ He marched out of the room.

  Rose turned to Bennett. ‘I can’t thank you enough for all this.’

  ‘This has become as personal to me as it is to you. I don’t want to alarm you, Rose, but if Billy has thrown his lot in with the Pennecks it won’t be to his advantage, and if he has taken the girl to France he’ll have to find work in order to support them both. Day and Pasco will resort to crime, and I just hope Billy has the good sense to get as far away from them as possible. Should he be arrested in a foreign country there’s almost nothing I can do for him.’

  ‘I understand, and I wish there was something I could do to help.’

  ‘When we find him – and I won’t rest until we do – he’ll need somewhere to call home. I doubt if he would be welcome in your father’s new parish.’

  She stared at him in amazement. ‘How did you know about that? I only found out last night myself.’

  One of his rare smiles lit his eyes. ‘Scully is a useful fellow, and he’s training Bobby Lee to do some of the footwork for him. I don’t enquire how they come by some of their information, but it’s very useful.’ His smile faded and his eyes darkened. ‘I also know that my cousin took you out for dinner last night.’

  ‘It’s true, but I don’t see what business it is of yours.’

  ‘He isn’t a lady’s man, Rose. Be careful how you treat him, that’s all I can say.’

  ‘I take that as an insult,’ Rose said angrily. ‘Are you insinuating that I’ve set my cap at him and that I’m leading him on?’

  He moved towards the doorway, pausing to give her a searching look. ‘Are you?’

  ‘I won’t dignify that with an answer. Just because my sister and I have to earn our living on the stage doesn’t mean that we’re gold diggers.’

  ‘I’m glad to hear it. Vere and I don’t always see eye to eye, but I wouldn’t like to see him hurt.’

  ‘I think it’s time you left,’ Rose said with as much dignity as she could muster. It would have been more satisfying to pick up any object that came to hand and hurl it at him, but that would have been childish.

  ‘I know that Vere has bought a ticket for your debut. I will also be there to cheer you on, too.’ Bennett opened the door and almost trod on Spartacus as he left the room. The cat narrowed his yellow eyes, arched his back and hissed.

  Rose wished that she were a cat and could show her displeasure in such an obvious manner. She was both shocked and angered by his accusation, and she wondered what Vere had told his cousin. He had obviously refrained from admitting that she had turned down his offer of marriage.

  She took a deep breath and wagged her finger at Spartacus as he strolled over to the table to sniff the remains of the meal. ‘Men are arrogant fools. At least you know where you are with a cat.’ She snatched up the plates, intending to take them to the kitchen, but she was met in the hallway by Fancello, who was still wearing his nightcap and dressing robe. She averted her eyes.

  ‘Good morning, signor.’

  He clutched his hands to his heart in a theatrical gesture worthy of Polly. ‘What must you think of me, Rose?’

  ‘It’s none of my business. This is my aunt’s house.’

  ‘But you don’t approve. I see it in your eyes. I have offended you and your sister.’

  She turned to face him. ‘I am not so narrow-minded, but if you want me to be honest I have to say that I think you are taking advantage of my aunt. You have lost everything and you need somewhere to live, so you’ve rekindled your romance with Polly. Shame on you.’

  He hung his head. ‘It must look like that, cara, but it is not so. Polly is the love of my life. She is the reason that I never made a marriage contract with Graziella. I am a weak man, but I am not bad.’

  Rose shook her head. ‘I just don’t want you to break my aunt’s heart for a second time. I believe that you are the reason why she never married, although she must have had countless offers.’

  ‘I am humbled, Rose. I do not deserve such loyalty.’

  ‘No, I don’t think you do.’ She was about to walk past him when he caught her by the sleeve.

  ‘You will not say anything to my Paloma?’

  ‘I doubt if she would listen to me anyway, but if you treat her well and make her happy, then I promise you I won’t say a word.’

  ‘You are an angel from heaven.’

  ‘I don’t think my father would agree with you, signor.’

  ‘I had a daughter once.’ Fancello’s moustache quivered with suppressed emotion.

  ‘No, signor, you had a son. Clementino is a boy. Had you forgotten?’

  Fancello’s eyes filled with tears. ‘Not Clementino. Paloma had a beautiful baby girl but she only lived for a day.’

  Rose almost dropped the plate she was carrying. ‘Are you saying that you and my aunt had a child?’

  ‘I would have married her then, but for Graziella and Clementino. I had not the courage to tell Paloma that I was in fact a free man. She sent me away, but I should have refused to go. I should have followed my heart.’ He turned with a start at the sound of Polly’s voice as she leaned over the banisters, her nightcap askew and her wrap billowing about her like a sail.

  ‘Sandro, what are you doing downstairs in your night clothes?’

  ‘Nothing, cara mia. I was on my way to the kitchen to get a pot of coffee for you.’

  ‘You silly man. What do you think servants are for? Come upstairs and get dressed.’ She glared at Rose. ‘Don’t stand there, girl. Tell Maisie to bring coffee and a glass of seltzer to my room. Coffee for two.’

  Giving Rose an apologetic smile, Fancello bundled his long robe up around his knees and took the stairs two at a time. ‘Coming, tesoro mio.’

  In the kitchen Ethel had started preparing the soup for the midday meal while Maisie peeled onions with tears running down her cheeks. Through the open scullery door Rose could see Sukey standing on a box at the clay sink, up to her elbows in water as she washed the breakfast dishes. Big Bertha was leaning against the wall, drinking tea from a tin mug. She looked tired, with dark circles beneath her eyes, and her sallow skin seemed to sag beneath her high cheekbones.

  ‘I was up all night,’ she explained when Rose
enquired as to her wellbeing. ‘Lizzie had a bit of a problem after the baby come out, but she’s on the mend now.’

  ‘More washing,’ Ethel said grimly. ‘That copper in the wash house never gets a chance to cool down.’ She shot a curious glance at Rose. ‘I suppose they want breakfast in bed? Well, they won’t get it. We’re too busy.’

  ‘My aunt would like coffee for two and a glass of seltzer,’ Rose said calmly. She had known that trying to keep anything secret in this house would be impossible.

  Maisie mopped her eyes on a dishcloth. ‘I’ll see to it, Ethel. It’ll give me a rest from these blooming onions. My eyes are stinging something chronic.’

  Ethel tossed a large beef bone into the pot. ‘He was the one,’ she said tersely.

  ‘I beg your pardon?’ Rose eyed her curiously. ‘Do you mean Signor Fancello?’

  ‘Don’t matter what his name is, but he was the one what got her into trouble in the first place.’

  ‘How do you know that?’

  Ethel pursed her lips. ‘Lost her nipper a couple of days afore she found me in the gutter. She nursed me through losing mine and we suffered our losses together. There weren’t no one else to know what we was going through. I been here ever since.’ She sliced through a chunk of stewing beef. ‘If that macaroni man hurts her again I’ll do for him.’

  ‘That goes for me too,’ Bertha muttered, slamming her mug down on the table. ‘I keeps a chiv tucked in me boot, just in case I ever needs to defend meself. He’ll get a taste of it if he don’t play straight. I hates all men and him especially.’

  Alarmed, Rose looked from one grim face to the other. ‘I don’t think it will come to that. I hope you’ll give Signor Fancello a chance to prove himself.’

  The loud ringing of one of the bells on the board above the door made them all turn with a start.

  ‘It’s her room,’ Bertha snarled. ‘I’ll go and see what’s up.’