by Dilly Court
Bennett put his hand in his pocket and took out a handful of coins. ‘Allow me, ma’am. That was an impressive display of fisticuffs. I’m glad you were on our side.’
Bertha blushed to the roots of her mousy hair. ‘Ta ever so, guv. You’re a real gent,’ she said, tittering and fluttering her sandy eyelashes.
‘Never mind him,’ Ethel said gruffly. ‘I was there too, so some of that’s mine.’
Bennett pressed some coins into her hand. ‘Of course. You were both splendid. It’s good to know that Rose and Cora have such staunch friends.’
Still giggling, Bertha hurried towards the exit with Ethel trotting along behind her.
‘I should go, too.’ Rose hesitated. ‘Thank you both for standing up for us. Slattery is a mean man.’
Vere frowned, shaking his head. ‘I don’t like the thought of you and your sister being exposed to such behaviour. This is not the place for well-brought-up young ladies.’
‘We have to earn our living,’ Rose said firmly. ‘And this is something we’re good at. Neither Cora nor I were brought up to do anything more useful.’
‘Back me up on this, Bennett.’ Vere turned to his cousin. ‘You agree with me, don’t you?’
Bennett met Rose’s anxious gaze with a hint of a smile. ‘Whether or not I agree is immaterial, Vere. From what I know of Rose she will do what she thinks is right for her and for her sister, and nothing that you or I might say will make the slightest bit of difference. Isn’t that right, Miss Sunshine?’
‘You seem to know me better than I know myself, but I have learned to stand on my own two feet. Or perhaps I should say that dancing on my own two feet has proved to be my salvation, and Cora’s, too.’ She glanced about the auditorium, which had emptied as if by magic when the fracas was over. ‘I should go and change out of my costume.’
‘I think it’s rather charming,’ Bennett said with a judicious nod of his head.
‘But not the sort of garment a lady would wear off stage,’ Vere added hastily. ‘I was hoping you might allow me to take you out to supper, Rose.’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that. I am rather tired.’
‘I’m returning home tomorrow. I would glad of your company this last time.’
Rose tried in vain to think of an excuse. The last thing she wanted was for Vere to repeat his proposal of marriage, and she knew instinctively that this was what he intended.
‘We’ll wait for you, Rose,’ Bennett said before she had a chance to respond. ‘I’m sure you wouldn’t want to disappoint Vere, and I would very much like to join you.’ He shot a sideways glance at his cousin. ‘That’s if you have no objection.’
‘No, of course not.’
Rose could tell by his tone that Vere did care – very much – but she was relieved. ‘All right. I’ll be as quick as I can.’ She hurried to the dressing room. The chorus girls had already departed, leaving a mess of rags soiled with stage make-up and saucers overflowing with ash and the stubs of cigarillos. Rose took off her make-up and changed out of her costume and into her day clothes, but she had second thoughts when it came to putting on her mantle, which was thin and offered little protection should it rain. She bundled it up with the rest of Cora’s things and slipped on her sister’s hooded cape. With a last quick look in the mirror she patted a stray lock of hair into place and set off to join her escorts.
They dined at the Gaiety restaurant in the Strand, and Rose began to relax. Perhaps the wine helped, and the food was excellent, but it was Bennett who put himself out to make her feel at ease. He was a surprisingly good host and seemed to know most of the waiters as well as the maître d’hôtel, who gave them an excellent table and hovered at a discreet distance, making sure that everything was to their liking. Rose was curious, having thought previously that Bennett was the type of man who kept himself to himself, but it seemed that she had been mistaken. It was Vere who appeared to be tongue-tied, only answering in monosyllables when asked a direct question. He ate his meal largely in silence and on several occasions she found him staring at her with a brooding expression that barely lightened when she spoke to him. More than ever she found herself drawn to Bennett, and laughing at the droll stories he told, although Vere did not seem to see humour in any of them.
They had finished dessert and were drinking coffee at their table when Vere found his voice. He cleared his throat, staring pointedly at Bennett. ‘Perhaps you would give us a moment or two on our own, cousin. I have something particular to discuss with Rose.’
Bennett raised an eyebrow, glancing at Rose for her assent. She nodded and smiled. ‘I’m sure it won’t take long.’
‘I’ll be in the smoking room when you’re ready to leave.’ Bennett rose from the table and made his way through the tables.
Rose watched him go with a feeling of near panic. She had hoped that Vere would leave matters as they were, but it was obvious from his intense expression that this was not going to happen. He stared into his coffee cup. ‘I think you know what I want to ask you, Rose.’
‘If it’s the same as before then I have to tell you that I am still of the same mind. Nothing has changed, Vere.’
He looked up and his face was pale and strained. ‘Please reconsider, Rose. I dread going back to that large, echoing house alone.’
‘You’re hardly alone,’ she said, attempting to lighten the mood. ‘You have servants to wait on you, and outdoor staff to take care of your beautiful grounds. You’re an important man in the town, and well-respected.’
He reached out to cover her hand with his as it rested on the pristine white tablecloth. ‘But all that is nothing if I have no one to share it with. All these years I’ve been on my own, and I didn’t realise how lonely I was until you came into my life. Now I find I can’t live without you.’
‘I’m sorry,’ she said gently. ‘I don’t feel the same.’ With an apologetic smile, she withdrew her hand. ‘I am really sorry.’
‘But you can’t wish to remain here in London, living in that madhouse with your aunt and those rough women. Appearing on the stage with men ogling you isn’t the sort of life I would wish for my wife or my daughter, or my sister, if I had one.’
‘I am none of those, Vere. I am my own person, and, to be honest, I enjoy performing and entertaining people. I’m not the sort of person you need, surely you must see that. You deserve a wife who will be happy to stay at home and bask in your reflected glory. You’re a good man, and a kind man. I wish I felt differently, but I can’t make myself love you.’
‘It might come in time. I’ve known couples who were barely acquainted when they married and love came later. I would give you everything I have, and endeavour to make you happy.’
She stood up, unable to bear the sight of him pleading. ‘No, Vere. It won’t do. I’m sorry.’ She held up her hand as he started to rise to his feet. ‘I’ll ask the doorman to hail a cab for me.’
‘I can’t allow you to go home unescorted.’
‘You have no choice, I’m afraid.’ She left him before he could protest and humiliate himself further. The success that she and Cora had enjoyed had been dimmed by Slattery’s outlandish behaviour, and the pleasant meal had been marred by Vere’s refusal to take no for an answer. She collected Cora’s cape from the cloakroom attendant, and made her way to the front entrance where the doorman hailed a cab. She glanced over her shoulder as she was about to climb in, but there was no sign of Bennett. The cab pulled away from the kerb, and she settled back against the squabs with a feeling of relief tinged with disappointment. Bennett obviously cared more for his cousin than he did for her comfort or safety.
It was late when Rose arrived back at Polly’s house and it had started to rain. She pulled the hood over her head as she stepped onto the pavement.
‘That’ll be one and six, please, miss.’ The cabby leaned down from his box, holding out his hand. Rose opened her reticule and to her horror found that it was empty. She had left it in the dressing room during their performance and
she knew for a fact that there had been two shillings in silver and coppers in her purse, but now there was nothing, not even a farthing.
‘It seems that someone has stolen my money,’ she said breathlessly. ‘If you’ll wait a minute I’ll get the fare from my sister.’
‘This had better not be a trick. I’m up to the games your sort plays.’
Rose might have been upset by this allusion to her being a woman of ill repute, but she was too anxious to worry about details. She ran up the steps and banged on the door, but the house was in darkness. She knocked again. The sound of horses’ hoofs made her look round to see the cab driving off and a male figure looming out of the darkness.
‘You got yourself into a pickle, didn’t you, flower? You ain’t so brave now you’re on your own, are you, Cora?’
Rose uttered a gasp of dismay. She did not need to see his face – the gravelly voice was all too familiar.
Chapter Fifteen
She spun round to face him. ‘It’s Rose, Mr Slattery. You have the wrong sister.’
His expression hardened. ‘You like playing tricks. Maybe I’ll have you instead.’
‘Touch me and I’ll scream so loud that they’ll hear me in the police station down the road.’
He took a step backwards. ‘It ain’t you I’m interested in anyway, you harpy. Tell Miss Cora that Jim Slattery will be looking to take her out for supper after the show tomorrow evening.’
‘You’re wasting your time. She won’t go with you.’
‘If she don’t I’ll need to have words with the manager and you’ll find yourselves out of work, begging on the streets, or worse. Do you understand?’ He leaned towards her, breathing heavily.
‘Don’t threaten me, Mr Slattery. I’ll report your behaviour to the manager and we’ll see who comes off worst.’
The words had barely left her lips when he lunged at her, grabbing her by the throat. Pressed against the front door, she could scarcely breathe. She kicked and struggled but he was stronger than he looked, and her efforts to free herself seemed to add to his fury. His fingers tightened, but just as she felt herself slipping into a dark abyss she was pulled back from the brink by a pair of strong hands.
‘You’re all right now, Rose. You’re safe.’ Bennett’s voice was oddly soothing, and she seemed to be moving through the air without having put a foot on the ground. ‘She’s all right, Miss Polly. A tot of brandy might be just the thing.’
Rose opened her eyes to find herself lying on the chaise longue in the parlour. ‘What happened?’ she demanded, making an effort to raise herself on her elbow. ‘Where did he go?’
‘He’s sitting on the pavement outside, nursing a sore head.’ Bennett leaned closer. ‘Are you hurt?’
Polly thrust a glass of brandy under Rose’s nose. ‘Sip this, dear. It’s lucky for you that Mr Sharpe arrived in time to save you from harm.’
Rose brushed the drink aside. ‘No, thank you, Aunt Polly. I think a cup of tea would suit me better.’
Polly raised the glass to her own lips and drank it down in one gulp. ‘Maisie, fetch tea for Miss Rose.’ She turned to Fancello, who was hovering in the background, his nightcap askew and his face crumpled with concern. ‘Take a look out of the window, Sandro. Is that man still there?’
Fancello moved to open the shutter just enough to peek outside. ‘He’s staggering off along the road. I don’t think he’ll bother us again tonight.’ He turned to give Rose a worried look. ‘Are you sure you are all right, cara? Perhaps we should send for the doctor?’
Rose struggled to a sitting position. Her throat felt sore and bruised, and she had skinned her knuckles in her attempt to escape Slattery’s clutches. ‘I’m all right.’
‘Shall I fetch Cora?’ Polly asked anxiously. ‘You do look very pale, Rose.’
‘I don’t want her to see me like this.’
‘That fellow should be locked up,’ Bennett said angrily. ‘You must report this attack to the police, Rose. He can’t be allowed to get away with it.’
She frowned thoughtfully. ‘I agree, but it’s my word against his. He thought I was Cora and he would say that she led him on. He’s a man, and his word would count more than either mine or my sister’s. We’re not in the most respected profession, as you must be aware.’
‘It is all wrong,’ Polly said, pouring herself another drink. ‘It’s scandalous, that’s what I say.’
‘I agree.’ Fancello nodded vigorously. ‘What do you think, Signor Sharpe? You are a man of the law.’
‘Unfortunately I think that Rose is right. Slattery is a slippery character and it’s unlikely that he would face arrest.’ Bennett’s expression was bleak as he gazed at Rose. ‘I can’t prevent you from going back to the theatre, but think carefully before you come to a decision.’
‘Are you saying that we ought to give up our livelihood because of one man?’
‘I know better than to tell you what to do, Rose. You’ve made an enemy there, and you have Cora to consider. Is she strong enough to put Slattery in his place?’
‘He’s right,’ Fancello said earnestly. ‘I’ve met men like him and they are no good.’ He slumped down on the window seat. ‘I was your manager, and I’ve let you down. I am not worth my ten per cent.’
‘It’s not your fault, Sandro.’ Polly held her hand out to him. ‘It’s late, my dear. We should get some sleep, and that goes for you too, Rose. Things will look better in the morning.’ She sent a meaningful look to Bennett. ‘You’ll be on your way now, Mr Sharpe. I’ll bid you good night.’ She sailed out of the room with Fancello in tow.
Rose sat up and swung her legs over the side of the couch. ‘I’m grateful to you for turning up when you did, Bennett, but why did you follow me home?’
‘My cousin is not very subtle. It wasn’t hard to guess why he wanted to speak to you in private, and judging by the state of him when I returned from the smoking room, I knew you must have refused him a second time.’
‘It would have been better had I declined your invitation to supper. None of this would have happened if I’d come home with Cora.’
‘A good lawyer’s answer,’ he said, chuckling. ‘I’ve said it before, Rose, but you would make an excellent barrister.’
She smiled. ‘Maybe one day there will be women lawyers. They might even have female police officers.’
Bennett helped her to her feet. ‘I think that might be going a bit too far. I wouldn’t want a sister or daughter of mine to have to deal with the ruffians who inhabit Seven Dials.’
She might have argued the point, but a wave of exhaustion swept over her and it was a relief to have a strong arm to lean on as he helped her from the room. They came to a halt at the foot of the stairs.
‘By the way,’ she said curiously, ‘you haven’t told me why you followed me home. You couldn’t have known that Slattery would accost me.’
Bennett took his hat from the hallstand and put it on at a rakish angle. ‘I knew that Vere must have said something to upset you, or you wouldn’t have run off without a word. I just wanted to make sure you were all right.’
‘It was time for me to leave, that’s all.’
‘Even so, my cousin is a good man, Rose. You could do a lot worse.’
‘So you keep telling me, but when I marry it will be for love. Good night, Bennett.’ She mounted the stairs and did not look back until she reached the top. When she did turn her head there was no sign of him. She heard the front door close with a thud that sounded like a final farewell. Her throat ached as she made her way to her room and it was not entirely due to the stranglehold applied by Slattery. She opened the door and was greeted by Maisie.
‘I brought you a nice hot cup of tea and Ethel sent a slice of seed cake. She said she knows you got a liking for something sweet.’
Big Bertha emerged from the shadows clutching a tin mug filled with something hot and aromatic. ‘My old mum used to give us nippers this for a sore throat,’ she said gruffly. ‘If I’d known what was g
oing on outside I’d have come and given the bloke a good kicking.’ She thrust the drink into Rose’s hands. ‘Cinnamon tea laced with honey. Drink it slowly and keep some by in case you get a dry throat in the night.’
‘Thank you both.’ Rose swallowed hard. Their kindness had brought tears to her eyes, but she did not want to break down in front of them. If she let her emotions take over she knew it would be hard to stem the flood.
Maisie hesitated, seeming unwilling to leave. ‘I wish I’d taken a swipe at the brute when I saw him on the floor at the theatre. I was so scared I just sat there and watched, but Bertha give him what for.’
Bertha flexed her muscles. ‘And I’d do it again, only next time I’ll do it harder and better.’ She grabbed Maisie by the arm. ‘C’mon you. Miss Rose needs to rest.’ She propelled Maisie out of the room and closed the door.
The house seemed oddly silent as Rose sat on the bed and sipped her tea. Her throat was too sore to allow her to eat the cake, and she drank some of Bertha’s concoction before going to bed. She closed her eyes and made an effort to relax, but the events of that evening kept coming to mind and it was a long time before she finally went to sleep.
Next morning she awakened feeling remarkably well considering her ordeal the previous evening. She washed and dressed, put up her hair and went down to breakfast only to find the dining room empty. There was no sign of Poppy and Fancello, which was not unusual as they were late risers, but Rose thought it odd that Cora had not yet put in an appearance. She helped herself to a boiled egg and some toast, but swallowing still presented a problem, and she ate very little. Tea slipped down easily, however, and after two cups Rose decided to go upstairs and wake Cora, as they needed to discuss what tactics they would use at the theatre. The fracas after the show would not have gone down well with the manager. He had not been present at the time, but Slattery would be sure to put his side of the story, portraying himself in the best possible light.
Rose knocked on Cora’s door and waited, and when there was no response she entered the room, to find it in darkness. She made her way to the window and drew back the curtains.