Ragged Rose
Page 20
Rose snatched the tray of coffee from Maisie’s hands. ‘It’s all right, Bertha. I’m going upstairs anyway. I’ll take it.’ She headed for the servants’ staircase before anyone had a chance to argue. Polly needed to be warned of the unrest below stairs and, if Fancello were to stay for any length of time, he needed to win the trust of Polly’s faithful friends. Rose had seen the look in their eyes and she was worried.
Chapter Fourteen
Fancello was contrite, but Polly was defensive. She insisted that it was her house, and what she did in it was her business and had nothing to do with her staff, or the women she cared for. Rose would have been even more concerned for her aunt’s future wellbeing had it not been for worrying about Billy, and the prospect of appearing in front of a large audience at the Grecian.
On the morning of their debut she was up early and roused Cora. After a hurried breakfast they went to the theatre for a final rehearsal. Rose had expected to find just a few stage hands and cleaners there at such an hour, but they were only halfway through their routine when Jim Slattery strolled onto the stage. He had his shirtsleeves rolled up and his normally sleek brown hair hung lankly over his brow. He tossed it back with a grimy hand.
‘Good morning, girls. Glad to see that you’re keen.’ He sidled up to Cora with a suggestive leer on his thin features. His hooded eyes feasted on her slender body as if she were a piece of carrion and he were bird of ill omen.
Cora’s cheeks flamed and she sidestepped him. ‘If you’ll excuse us, Mr Slattery, we’d like to get on.’
‘Yes,’ Rose said hastily. ‘We want our act to be polished and perfect for tonight.’
‘I can make you a star, Miss Sunshine.’ He laid his hand on Cora’s shoulder, lingering too long for a casual gesture.
‘Thank you, but we’ll try to do that for ourselves.’ Cora moved away from him. ‘Where did we get to, Rose?’
Slattery’s smile froze and his thin lips tightened into a hard line. ‘Don’t try to be clever with me, miss. I can make you or I can break you. Your future depends on me, so remember that this evening after the show.’ He glared at Rose, who had opened her mouth to protest. ‘And you can keep out of this. I intend to take your sister for a quiet drink and a bite of supper later on. We don’t need a chaperone.’
‘You won’t get one,’ Rose snapped back at him. ‘Cora has a gentleman friend and he’s coming to the theatre this evening, so I wouldn’t advise you to get in his way.’
‘Yes,’ Cora added, ‘and my gentleman is well-connected, so you’d better watch your step, Mr Slattery.’
‘Well-connected. That’s a laugh.’ Slattery’s smile would have curdled milk. ‘He’ll be after one thing and we all know what that is. I’ve seen it more times than I care to remember, and it never ends well. Stick to your own kind, love. Forget the toff, and I’ll show you more than a good time.’
Cora turned away from him. ‘You’re disgusting.’
‘Leave her alone.’ Rose slipped her arm around her sister’s shoulders. Cora had paled alarmingly and she was trembling, whether from fear or anger Rose could not tell, but she knew that Slattery was a real threat. ‘If you continue in this manner I’ll report you to the manager.’
He shrugged. ‘You won’t get nowhere. Him and me are like that.’ He crossed his fingers as if to demonstrate their closeness. ‘Get on with your rehearsal. You’d better be good tonight or you’ll find yourselves out of a job.’ He walked into the wings, muttering beneath his breath.
‘I feel sick.’ Cora covered her mouth with her hands.
‘Don’t let him see that you’re upset.’ Rose took her by the shoulders and gave her a gentle shake. ‘Look at me, Corrie.’
Cora raised a tearstained face. ‘He’s hateful, Rosie. He makes me feel dirty.’
‘He’s all talk, and anyway I won’t leave you alone for a second. After the show you’ll have Gerard to take care of you, and I think some of Aunt Polly’s girls are coming to see our opening night.’ She wrapped her arms around Cora and gave her a hug. ‘Just imagine Slattery faced with Big Bertha. She’d sort the wretch out.’
‘She frightens me,’ Cora said, giggling. She dashed the tears from her cheeks. ‘You’re right, Rosie. Let’s go through our routine once more. I won’t allow Slattery to put me off.’
‘That’s the ticket.’ Rose hitched up her skirts. ‘One, two, three …’
The dressing room was hazy with tobacco smoke. Gaudy costumes decorated with ostrich feathers and sequins hung from pegs like a flock of exotic, brightly coloured birds that had come home to roost, and the floor was littered with boots and shoes and a dusting of sequins. Rose examined her reflection in the mirror, adjusting the perky little hat she wore at a pert angle, while Cora added a touch of rouge to her pale cheeks.
‘It went well in the first half,’ she said with a nervous giggle. ‘I hope I don’t let you down in our last number, Rosie. Slattery keeps giving me the eye. If I happen to look his way he leers at me and winks. It’s horrible.’
‘You’ll be fine, Corrie. I’m sure that Gerard will be in the audience, and I’m certain it was Bertha’s raucous laughter I could hear when the tumblers were on. I think someone must have fallen badly and hurt themselves to amuse her so greatly. That woman has a rather cruel sense of humour.’
‘I know what you’re doing,’ Cora said, smiling. ‘You’re trying to distract me, but I am afraid of Slattery. I don’t feel safe when he’s around.’
Rose tensed at the sound of footsteps clattering on the bare boards in the corridor.
‘Five minutes, please.’ The callboy banged on the door and hurried on.
‘This is it, Corrie.’ Rose opened the door. ‘Come on. Let’s give them an act they’ll never forget. The Sunshine Sisters will go down in theatre history.’
They took their bows to resounding applause, and cries of ‘Encore’, which were ignored by Slattery, who shook his head when the conductor raised his baton and looked to him for guidance. Rose could see him standing in the wings, arms folded and a grim expression on his face. He did not look like a man who wanted to woo a girl with soft words. Her confidence ebbed away, and suddenly she was afraid for her sister. As they stood centre stage she could just make out the front row of the stalls. She spotted Gerard seated next to a well-dressed couple whom she assumed were his parents. They looked distinctly uncomfortable and out of place amongst the enthusiastic lesser mortals, who were stamping their feet, whistling and generally voicing their approval. They must, Rose thought, wonder what sort of place their son had brought them to, and be regretting their desire to meet the young lady who had won his heart.
The audience was restive, braying for an encore, and Bertha was jumping up and down beside the startled Barclay family, while Ethel waved and hallooed as if she were at the head of the hunt and had spotted a fox. Maisie was there too, as were Polly and Fancello, who were still seated, but clapping wildly. Then, to Rose’s surprise, at the very end of the row she saw Vere and Bennett, and just behind them she could make out the smiling face of Joshua Hart.
‘They’re all here,’ she whispered to Cora as they scampered off the stage. Even then the audience were still calling for more, but the next act was announced and silence fell for the star, the beautiful Loribelle Le Grand, whose emotionally charged rendition of popular songs could have the audience in floods of tears or rocking with laughter.
Rose pushed past Slattery, dragging Cora by the hand. He was in no position to protest, and they escaped to the dressing room where the chorus girls were getting ready for the finale.
‘You done well, my ducks,’ Florrie said, allowing smoke from her cigarillo to escape from the corners of her painted mouth. ‘We could hear the applause from here.’
Nell perched on a stool, showing an amount of leg that would have shocked Seymour Perkins to the core. ‘Watch out for Slattery, Cora. He’ll have his hands all over you given half a chance. We’ve all seen the way he looks at you. Fair gives me the shivers.’
‘You should know, ducks,’ Florrie said, grinning. ‘I don’t suppose you put up much of a fight when you was cornered by him. You never do.’
‘I got a steak supper out of it, which is more than what you did, matey.’ Nell shifted to a more comfortable position. ‘Anyone got a nip of gin to spare? My plates of meat are killing me.’ She reached out to take a hip flask from one of the girls who had it tucked into her garter. ‘Ta, love. I’ll return the favour when I gets paid.’
The door opened just enough for the callboy to poke his head into the room. He glanced round at the scantily clad girls. ‘Line up for the finale, my beauties.’
Dolly threw a shoe at him, but he retreated quickly and it bounced harmlessly off the door as it closed. ‘Cheeky little blighter. One day I’ll fetch him a slap round the chops and see how he likes that.’
‘He’s just a kid,’ Nell said, rising to her feet. ‘If you want to slap someone, give Slattery a punch on the nose. He deserves it. Look out for him, Cora. He’s got his eye on you and it’s pay day. He’ll have been in the bar at The Eagle during the interval and he’ll have a bottle of blue ruin in his coat pocket, I don’t doubt.’
‘He don’t need Dutch courage,’ Dolly added. ‘Take our advice and steer clear.’
‘Don’t worry,’ Rose said hastily. ‘I’m up to his tricks. I’ll see she’s all right.’
‘My gentleman friend is in the audience.’ Cora tossed her head. ‘He won’t stand for any funny business.’
Rose hurried her from the room. ‘Just stick close to me. He’s all talk, Corrie.’
The final curtain had come down, but in the general rush to get to the dressing rooms Rose lost sight of Cora. She retraced her steps to the wings and found Slattery had her sister pressed up against the wall.
‘Leave her alone,’ she cried angrily. ‘Cora, come here.’
Cora’s face was ashen against the black velvet curtain that separated this part of the stage from the steps leading down into the auditorium. ‘He won’t let me go, Rose.’
‘We’ll see about that.’ Rose made a dive at Slattery, giving him such a hefty shove that he lost his balance, stumbled and fell against the curtains. He clutched at them wildly but they parted and he tumbled backwards down the steps, landing at the feet of Lady Barclay.
Gerard looked up and, seeing Cora, he leaped onto the stage. ‘What happened?’
Cora shivered and her teeth were chattering so that her words were barely intelligible.
‘He was taking advantage of her,’ Rose said in an undertone. ‘I only meant to get him away from Cora; I didn’t mean to harm him.’ She was uncomfortably aware that the audience near enough to have witnessed the scene were standing round watching, as if this was part of the evening’s entertainment. ‘He’s been pestering her ever since we started here.’
Gerard placed his arm around Cora. ‘Are you all right, my love?’
She nodded tearfully. ‘I’m sorry. I’m b-being a b-baby, but he scared me.’
Gerard released her and took a flying leap onto Slattery, who had only just scrambled to his feet. They fell in a heap on the floor, arms and legs flailing.
‘Stop this at once.’ Lord Barclay made a futile attempt to separate them, but his wife caught him by the coat-tails.
‘Freddie, please. Don’t stoop to their level.’ She glanced anxiously over her shoulder. ‘Get me out of this dreadful place.’ She uttered a cry of fright as Big Bertha waded into the fray, swinging punches at Slattery that would have been a credit to a bare-knuckle fighter. She was followed by Ethel, who danced about waving her hands and swearing volubly, while Maisie curled up as small as she could, almost disappearing into her seat.
Polly clutched Fancello’s arm. ‘Don’t fight them, Sandro. I won’t allow you to.’
It occurred to Rose, as she hesitated on the top step, that Fancello had no intention of joining in, but others had no such qualms. She held her breath as Bennett grabbed Slattery by the collar. He was joined by Vere, who helped Gerard to his feet, and Joshua pushed his way through the crowd in time to catch Lady Barclay as she fell down in a dead faint. He helped her back to her seat with the aid of Lord Barclay, who looked pale and shaken.
‘Stay there, Corrie,’ Rose said firmly. She lifted her skirt and took the steps carefully, not wishing to end up on the floor like Slattery. She moved closer to Bennett, keeping out of range of Slattery’s flailing fists. ‘That man is an animal,’ she said in a low voice. ‘He’s been pestering Cora and he won’t take no for an answer.’
Bennett twisted Slattery round to face Cora. ‘You’ll apologise to the young lady, or I’ll call a constable. It’s your choice.’
Slattery rubbed his chin where a dark smudge was turning into a large bruise. ‘I’ll have you up for assault.’
‘No, you won’t. You’ll apologise and promise to leave Miss Perkins alone in future, or I’ll have you arrested and you’ll lose your job. I doubt if many theatre managers would want to hire you after that.’
Gerard helped Cora down from the stage. ‘Are you sure you’re not hurt?’
She shook her head. ‘I’m fine, Gerard. I was scared, but I’m all right now you’re here.’
Bennett poked Slattery in the ribs. ‘What do you say?’
‘Sorry.’ Slattery spat the word at Cora.
‘That’s not good enough.’ Bennett turned to his cousin. ‘Call a constable, Vere. This fellow needs to be taught a lesson.’
‘All right,’ Slattery said hastily. ‘I’m sorry, miss. It won’t happen again.’
‘I should jolly well hope not.’ Gerard shook his fist at Slattery. ‘I’ll take pleasure in reporting you to your employer.’
‘I said I’m sorry.’ Slattery turned to Bennett, scowling. ‘You’ve had your fun, now let a working man get about his business.’
Polly had taken a seat beside Lady Barclay during this altercation, with Fancello hovering in the background. She produced a vinaigrette from her reticule and wafted it under the unconscious woman’s nose until she coughed and opened her eyes.
‘What happened?’ Lady Barclay stared round in horror. ‘Take me from this palace of iniquity, Freddie. Take me home.’
Her husband leaned over to help her to her feet. He glanced up at his son. ‘You haven’t heard the last of this, Gerard. You should never have brought us to this vulgar show.’
‘Hold on, guv.’ Bertha towered over him. ‘I don’t like the tone of your voice. What d’you expect when you come slumming?’
‘Who is this person, Gerard? Is she one of your new friends?’ Lady Barclay leaned on her husband’s arm. She peered at Cora through her lorgnette. ‘You were on that stage wearing less than nothing. You should be ashamed of yourself, young lady. I understand that you are a vicar’s daughter. What must he think of you?’
Cora’s eyes filled with tears and her lips trembled, but before she could defend herself Joshua had managed to edge his way through the onlookers and he faced up to Gerard’s indignant mother.
‘The Reverend Seymour Perkins is very proud of both his daughters, my lady. I can tell you that for a fact. They have done nothing to disgrace the family name, as you would know had you taken the trouble to find out more about them.’
Lady Barclay staggered backwards, falling against her husband. ‘I’m being castigated by a cleric, Freddie. What manner of establishment is this?’
‘I don’t know, my dear, but it’s one we shall not be patronising again, and nor will you, Gerard.’
‘I say, sir, that’s a bit unnecessary. It was only a minor fracas, and it doesn’t happen nightly.’ Gerard glanced anxiously at Slattery, who was doing his best to appear invisible. ‘Tell him, man. Tell my papa that this is not how one normally behaves in this theatre.’
‘It ain’t, your lordship.’ Slattery touched his forelock, cringing like a whipped cur. ‘It was an accident, your lordship. A misunderstanding, and it won’t happen again.’ He backed into the crowd and was lost from sight.
Rose had heard enough. She squeezed past Bennett, coming face to face with Lady Barclay. ‘That is so unfair. You’re blaming my sister for something that was beyond her control. She is a good person and she loves your son, and I believe he loves her.’
‘Nonsense,’ Lady Barclay drew herself up to her full height. ‘This stops now. Gerard, you’re coming home with us.’
‘I’m a grown man, Mama.’ Gerard lowered his voice. ‘You can’t order my life as if I were a boy.’
‘You are not yet twenty-one. You will do as you are told.’ Lord Barclay thrust Gerard’s top hat into his hands. ‘Defy me and I’ll stop your allowance.’ He gesticulated to the crowd of onlookers. ‘Make way, we’re leaving.’
Gerard hesitated. ‘I’m sorry, Cora,’ he said softly. ‘I must go now, but this is far from over.’
‘Don’t leave like this,’ Cora pleaded. She made to follow him but Rose caught her by the hand.
‘Let him go, Corrie. If he truly loves you he’ll find a way.’
Joshua placed himself between Cora and the departing Barclays. ‘Allow me to see you home, Miss Cora.’
‘I have to change out of my costume,’ Cora said dully.
Fancello took off his opera cloak and wrapped it around Cora’s shoulders. ‘There you are, cara mia. Leave your things until the morning. You should come home and rest.’
Polly rose majestically to her feet. ‘Come, ladies. I think we’ve had enough excitement for one night.’ She took Fancello’s arm. ‘We will lead the way.’ They walked on, followed closely by Joshua and a distraught Cora.
Bertha shrugged her bony shoulders. ‘I ain’t had such an entertaining time since she found me drunk in the gutter, not that I remember too much about that night. I fancy a pint of porter. What about you, Ethel?’
‘You took the words out of me mouth,’ Ethel said, nodding. ‘The only trouble is I ain’t got a penny to me name.’