by Dilly Court
Phineas stared at them, frowning. ‘The company owns a house in Great Hermitage Street. It was vacated recently by one of our employees and you may have it as far as I’m concerned.’ He shot a sideways glance in Caroline’s direction. ‘It’s large enough for all of you.’
Maria grasped her hand. ‘You will stay with us, won’t you, Carrie? Please say yes, because I don’t know how to manage on my own.’
‘You have your mother now,’ Caroline said softly. ‘You can look after each other.’
‘Maria is right,’ Grace added hastily. ‘I’d be grateful if you would join us, too. It’s so long since I lived in London that I’m afraid I won’t be able to cope, and I’d feel safer if you were with us.’
Phineas met Caroline’s anxious gaze with a nod and a hint of a smile. ‘You see, you are very much needed.’
The idea that she might one day be dependent on the Colville family was something that had never occurred to Caroline until this moment, but her only alternative was to return to the Captain’s House. She was eager to see her brothers and Sadie, but Great Hermitage Street was close enough for her to visit them as often as she wished, and it would only be a temporary measure. When Uncle George brought the Esther Manning into port she was certain that everything would change for the better.
‘All right,’ she said reluctantly, ‘but only until I find a place of my own. I have my mother to consider as well as myself.’
‘Then that’s settled. We leave for London as soon as you’re ready.’ Phineas rose from the table. ‘I’ll go and tell Freddie.’
‘He’ll be angry with me for leaving before he’s had a chance to finish the painting,’ Grace said anxiously. ‘He’s been so good to us, it seems very ungrateful to go running off like this.’
‘We have little choice, thanks to that interfering woman.’ Phineas opened the door and looked outside, as if expecting to find someone eavesdropping on their conversation.
‘If she or Dickon find out where we’re going they’re sure to pass the information on to Quick.’ Caroline glanced at the grandfather clock, ticking away busily in the corner of the room. ‘Perhaps the portrait could be completed at a later date, Grace. Anyway, the sooner we leave the better.’
The house in Great Hermitage Street was, like most of its neighbours, tall and narrow, with three rooms on each of its four storeys, and a deep, dank cellar filled with broken chairs, empty tea chests, cracked china, broken glass and a sea of small unwanted and useless objects that had been tossed down the steps by the former residents. Whoever lived there before had not been house-proud, as Caroline noticed the moment she stepped over the threshold late that evening. In the half-light she could see wallpaper hanging in strips, filthy paintwork and bare floorboards littered with the empty carapaces of cockroaches, and their lingering odour rose in waves of nastiness. Damp, dry rot, mildew and the pervading stink of rodent droppings assailed her nostrils, which had become accustomed to the clean country air. If she had thought the Captain’s House was dirty, then this residence was filthy.
Phineas brought their baggage in from the hackney carriage that had transported them from the station. He dropped the luggage on the floor in the front room, which, even in poor light, was in a dire state. The furniture was shabby, the upholstery torn and the curtains lacy with moth holes.
‘It’s a long time since I last saw this place,’ he said angrily. ‘I wouldn’t have suggested it had I known it was in such a state.’
Grace took off her bonnet and the cape she had chosen from the supply of garments donated by Lady Alice. ‘I’ve seen worse.’ She laid her garment neatly over the back of a chair, which wobbled dangerously on three legs. ‘I’m used to hard work, Phineas. But all this furniture will have to be replaced. I don’t doubt it’s running with fleas and I dare say the beds are crawling with bugs.’
Maria shuddered and wrapped her shawl round her slight figure. ‘It almost makes me want to go home to Pier House, but I think I’d prefer bed bugs and fleas to living with Grandmama.’
‘I know what you mean,’ Grace said, chuckling.
Caroline stared at her in amazement. ‘That’s the first time I’ve heard you laugh, Grace.’ She glanced round the room with a sigh. ‘If you can find anything funny in this, you’re a better person than I am.’
‘I can’t leave you here,’ Phineas said firmly. ‘I think I’d better find you rooms at the nearest respectable inn or lodging house.’
‘I’ll help to clean the place up,’ Caroline volunteered, although it seemed like a Herculean task and it was getting late. They had been travelling for hours and she was tired, but she was determined to take as little as possible from the Colville family.
‘If you’re sure,’ Phineas said doubtfully.
‘I’m quite sure.’ Caroline added her own bonnet and shawl to the pile on the chair. ‘We need to make ourselves comfortable for tonight, and tomorrow we’ll make a start on getting the place straight.’ She winced at the sound of a high-pitched scream from the house next door, followed by shouts and loud male voices.
‘No, this really isn’t good enough.’ Phineas picked up their luggage, tucking a valise under one arm. ‘I told the cabby to wait, so I’ll take you to my house in Princes Square.’
‘I haven’t seen your house, Phin,’ Maria said eagerly. ‘You’ve never invited me there before.’
‘I have to have a life of my own, even if Grandmama doesn’t acknowledge the fact that I’m a grown man. I bought the house in the square when I came into my inheritance.’
‘And you managed to keep it from Mama?’ Grace stared at him with something like admiration. ‘But then you’re a man, and you have money of your own. It’s so different for women.’
‘I refuse to leave you here, but if you still want this house, despite the neighbours, I’ll have it cleared out and fumigated, which will have to be done anyway. You can decide then whether it’s for you.’ Phineas shooed them out of the room.
Caroline hesitated as she was about to climb into the cab. ‘Perhaps it would be best if I go to the Captain’s House tonight.’
‘Indulge me this once, Caroline.’ Phineas hefted the bags into the cab. ‘You’ve gone out of your way to help my family. Go to your friend’s house tomorrow, if you wish, but allow me to be host this evening. I have a business proposition to put to you, and we can discuss it after supper. My housekeeper is an excellent cook and she’ll be delighted to show off her talents.’
‘I think she might feel differently when faced with three unexpected guests for dinner.’
‘Is that a yes?’
‘Do get in, Caroline.’ Maria leaned out, looking from one to the other. ‘Why are you standing out there? We’re tired and we’re hungry.’
Caroline climbed in and sat down beside her. ‘Phineas says that his housekeeper is an excellent cook. I’m eager to try her food.’
‘Is she pretty, Phin?’ Maria said archly. ‘Have you got a secret like Freddie?’
Phineas took his seat next to Grace. ‘One more word from you, Maria, and I’ll deposit you on Grandmama’s doorstep.’
‘Why haven’t you told my mother that you have your own establishment, Phin?’ Grace leaned back against the leather squabs, looking relaxed for the first time since they left Devonshire.
‘You of all people know the answer to that question.’ Phineas closed his fingers around his aunt’s small hand. ‘It’s good to have you home, Grace. You must decide whether or not you wish to visit Pier House. It’s entirely up to you, but for now you’re safe from that oaf you were forced to marry, and your daughter is restored to you.’
Caroline turned her head to look out of the carriage window. She did not want them to see the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. At least this family were reunited, now all she had to do was to perform a miracle that would bring her mother and brothers together. All her hopes were pinned on the return of the Esther Manning, after what she hoped might have been a successful and profitable voya
ge.
The lamplighter was doing his rounds when they reached Princes Square. Caroline was encouraged to see that the neat Georgian terraces were well kept, as was the central garden. It was obvious that the residents took pride in their surroundings and highly polished door furniture gleamed in the light from the newly lit streetlamps. A warm breeze rustled the leaves of the trees cloistered behind the iron railings and, if it weren’t for the inescapable noxious smells, she could have imagined herself back in the country.
Phineas had already alighted, paid the cabby and deposited their bags on the pavement outside his house. The door was opened by a middle-aged lady, whose neat figure and appearance fitted in nicely with her surroundings.
‘Mr Colville, I wasn’t expecting you tonight, sir.’
‘I’m sorry, Mrs Morecroft. A sudden change of plans brought me home earlier than I expected, and I’ve brought three guests with me.’
‘Will the young ladies be staying, sir?’ Mrs Morecroft stood aside, eyeing them warily.
‘Yes, they will. I hope it’s not too much for you, Moffie.’
‘No, sir. Of course not.’
‘This is my aunt, Mrs Quick, and her daughter, Miss Maria Colville, and their good friend, Miss Caroline Manning.’
Mrs Morecroft bobbed a curtsey to each of them in turn. ‘It’s not often we have guests, so I hope you’ll bear with me. It will take a while to make dinner, and then I’ll see to your rooms.’
Caroline realised that the poor woman was struggling, and she laid her hand on Mrs Morecroft’s arm. ‘You must allow us to help you, ma’am. I can’t cook, but I do know how to make up a bed.’
‘I’m quite handy in the kitchen,’ Grace added.
‘I’m afraid I’m not much help at all,’ Maria confessed. ‘But I will do my best to make myself useful.’
Mrs Morecroft sent a pleading glance to Phineas. ‘I can’t allow that, sir. It wouldn’t be proper.’
‘I’d give in now, if I were you, Moffie,’ he said, smiling. ‘Accept the help offered.’
‘Very well, sir.’ Mrs Morecroft turned to Caroline. ‘I’ll show you to your rooms, miss. There is plenty of clean linen in the oak chest on the first landing.’ She eyed Grace warily. ‘I was just going to have some bread and cheese for my supper, madam.’
Grace smiled. ‘That sounds delightful. If you have eggs and maybe some herbs, I could make an omelette, too.’
‘That sounds excellent,’ Phineas said enthusiastically. ‘You wouldn’t have learned to cook had you remained at home, Grace.’
She pulled a face. ‘It’s my only talent, Phin. Although I can do the laundry and scrub floors as well.’
‘You won’t be required to do anything like that in this house, madam,’ Mrs Morecroft said stiffly. ‘I’ll be glad to allow you all to assist me this evening, but tomorrow things will get back to normal.’
Caroline met Phin’s amused gaze and smiled. ‘I suppose you will sit down and let us all wait on you, Mr Colville.’
‘That’s how it should be, miss.’ Mrs Morecroft opened the door to the front room. ‘I keep the parlour ready for use at all times.’ She shooed Caroline and Maria towards the staircase. ‘The master bedroom is the largest and my room is on the top floor, but you may have your pick of the other bedchambers.’ She glanced over her shoulder at Phineas. ‘Perhaps you would like to make yourself comfortable, sir. I think I can remember how to make an omelette, but I will, of course, call upon madam if I need help.’ She marched upstairs ahead of Caroline, who had seen the funny side of things and was trying hard not to laugh.
‘You’ve met your match there, Grace,’ she said in an undertone. ‘I feel as though Nanny Robbins has returned, disguised as Mrs Morecroft.’
‘Are you coming, Miss Manning?’ Mrs Morecroft peered over the banister. ‘Chop-chop.’
‘Now I’m certain of it,’ Caroline said, mounting the stairs. ‘You’d best come, too, Maria, or you might find yourself sent to bed without any supper.’
‘Really, Phin, do you always allow your housekeeper to boss you around?’ Grace put down her knife and fork, and reached for her wine glass.
‘I was only twenty when I took her on,’ Phineas said, sighing. ‘An inexperienced young chap who was used to being dominated by Nanny and Grandmama, so I saw nothing odd about dear Moffie.’
‘You created a monster, I think.’ Caroline crumbled a slice of bread and popped it into her mouth. The omelette had been delicious and they had finished their meal with bread and cheese, accompanied by a fine claret. The dining room was small, but cosy. The red and gold wallpaper created a warm effect and the highly polished mahogany furniture glowed in the light of a gasolier hanging above the table.
Phineas raised his glass in a toast. ‘Here’s to people like Moffie, who has a heart of gold beneath her granite exterior.’
‘A bit like you, cousin,’ Maria said, giggling.
‘I think you’re a bit tipsy.’ Grace reached across the table to pat her daughter’s hand. ‘It’s time for bed, Maria. It’s been a long day and I’m exhausted.’
‘Yes, Mama.’ Maria rose from her chair, swaying slightly. ‘It’s not the wine, I’m just sleepy.’
‘We’ll say good night then.’ Grace stood up and slipped her arm around Maria’s waist. ‘We can help each other up the stairs. Heaven knows, we don’t want to fall and break our bones.’ She glanced over her shoulder. ‘Are you coming, Carrie?’
‘Yes, in a minute. I think Phineas has something he wanted to discuss with me.’ Caroline gave him a searching look. ‘You said you had a business proposition for me. I’m eager to know what it is.’
Chapter Fourteen
Phineas waited until the door closed and they were alone. ‘You don’t think much of me, do you, Caroline?’
Startled, she spilled some of her wine on the table and hastily mopped it up with her napkin. ‘What gives you that idea, sir?’
‘Perhaps the fact that you’ve reverted to calling me “sir” and not Phin is an indication that all is not well between us.’
‘What do you expect? I’m grateful, of course, for the invitation to stay here for a while, which I won’t impose upon any longer than necessary, but …’ She paused, looking him in the eye.
‘But you still blame me for your father’s early demise, even though it was caused by illness.’
‘Which no doubt was made worse by his state of mind. I remember how tired and drawn he looked before he was taken ill, and the long hours he worked in an attempt to turn the business round. I know now that he was struggling to repay his debt to you.’
‘Your father was an excellent person, but a poor businessman. I’m sorry if the truth offends you, but it is a fact. He made some ill-judged decisions and lost a lot of money, which is why he was forced to come to me for a loan.’
‘You told me that before, and I accept what you say, but you can’t deny that you were in competition with my father and Uncle George.’
‘Nor do I, but that is the way it is in the world of commerce. The strong survive and prosper and the rest struggle along or fail completely. Your uncle is a good shipmaster, but he has no head for business.’ Phineas leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. ‘The one person who could have pulled the company together is your mother, but I strongly suspect that her opinions were often overruled, simply because she is a woman.’
‘I know that my mother helped to build the company,’ Caroline said slowly. ‘But I never heard her complain about the way she was treated.’
‘I was very impressed with her on our first meeting. She’s a woman to be reckoned with, and if you have inherited her abilities, you might be able to make a good living for yourself and your family.’
‘So what is your proposition?’
‘Straight to the point. I like that.’ Phineas sat back in his chair. ‘The Esther Manning is due back in port after what will hopefully prove to be a profitable trip. I’m offering to buy a half-share in your company.’
&
nbsp; Caroline was momentarily speechless. She stared at him in disbelief and she reached for her glass, downing the last of her wine. ‘You want to be a business partner? Why would you want to invest in a company that is virtually bankrupt?’
‘What better time to invest cheaply? I’m a hard-headed businessman, Caroline. You still have one vessel that should be giving a good return. It makes sense to buy up my competitor.’
‘Even so, I’m not in a position to say yes or no. I suppose it would be down to my mother and Uncle George.’
‘Bring your mother back to London. From what I know of her she’ll rise to the challenge, and she’s too young to hide away for ever.’
‘She’s nearly forty; that’s quite old.’
‘Your mama is ageless, and she’s the one you have to convince. I suggest you return to Devonshire and talk my proposition over with her, but you need to do it before the Esther Manning arrives in port.’
‘You’re forgetting my uncle. He would have to agree, too.’
‘I’ve no doubt that Mrs Manning has a great deal of influence over her brother.’ Phineas reached for the decanter and refilled both their glasses. He raised his in a toast. ‘Shall we drink to success?’
Caroline was already feeling light-headed. It had been a long day and a trying one. Then Phineas had come up with this extraordinary plan, which in normal times she would have thought laughable. Whether it was the wine, or simple fatigue, she felt a sudden surge of optimism. Together they might resurrect the fortunes of Manning and Chapman, but there was one obstacle that had to be overcome.
‘I’ll drink to it,’ she said slowly, ‘but to be honest I don’t hold out much hope. My mother is still in deep mourning and I doubt if she will want to return to London so soon, or to think about business.’
Despite exhaustion, Caroline found it hard to sleep. The bed was comfortable and the house was silent, but she tossed and turned, unable to put their conversation out of her mind. She fell into a fitful doze in the early hours of the morning, and her last memory before sleep claimed her was the chiming of the grandfather clock in the entrance hall. The third stroke had barely faded away when she drifted off.