by Bell, Julia
I sniffed indignantly. “If you weren’t my manager you would make me an excellent father.”
Brett smiled at me and offered his arm. “Then I’d better do as your papa says.”
I took his arm. “He has strict rules, I’m afraid.”
As we headed for the door, Brett bent his head and whispered, “Ah, but rules are meant to be broken.”
I glanced over my shoulder and saw Andrew taking the stairs two at a time. This lady friend of his must be important. Outside, a warm breeze fanned our cheeks.
“So, that’s Alastair’s old school chum?” asked Brett, after a few minutes.
“Yes. I thought you would have known him too. Didn’t you go to the same school as Lord Waltham?”
He shook his head. “I went to Eton not Harrow. I met Alastair because our fathers owned stud farms and would meet on business. And our mothers became firm friends and would often visit each other.”
I couldn’t help grinning. “Good thing Alastair hadn’t been Alice or you might have had a choice of two brides.” He chuckled and squeezed my hand. I became serious. “Brett, why are you here?”
“Because now that I’ve found you again, there was no way I could leave Bath without speaking to you.”
“What do you want to speak to me about?”
“I want to clear the air and make things right between us.”
“I suppose the abbey is as good a place as any.”
“It is,” he said firmly and his hand closed over mine.
The abbey was locked at nine o’clock, so we had a good hour in front of us. We walked the short distance very quickly and talked of meaningless things, the weather, the splendours of Bath and then I told him that Danny had gone to visit Lord and Lady Waltham but would be returning the following day.
“He’s coming to Bath?” he asked with interest.
I shook my head. “No, we leave for Bristol tomorrow and we’ll be meeting him there.”
“Where do you go after Bristol?”
“To Cardiff and Swansea,” I smiled. “I’m so delighted to be going back to Wales again and to sing in a theatre in front of my countrymen. They’ll insist I sing in Welsh, I’m sure.”
We reached the abbey and went straight inside, the spiritual silence wrapping us in a blanket of peace and quiet. I walked to the choir and soon found my prayer book, still under the chair where I had left it.
“There it is,” I said, scooping it up. I ran my hands lovingly over the leather cover. “It belonged to my mama and I inherited it after she died.”
“Shall we sit?” asked Brett. I hesitated, wondering if it was wise, since Andrew expected us to return immediately. Suddenly I felt angry. Andrew was not my papa and he had no rights over my free time. Besides, if he was meeting a ‘lady admirer’, he wouldn’t be back himself for a while. Brett was waiting for me to sit and so I made myself comfortable in the front pew. He took the seat beside me and looked up at the ceiling. “This is a beautiful building.”
I nodded. “Truly wonderful.”
“A splendid place to sing.”
“Yes. The acoustics are perfect.”
He hesitated, as his eyes swept over me. “So, you’re not a music teacher?” I didn’t feel the need to answer. “You’re the celebrated Miss Emmeline Barri?” I nodded feeling very guilty. “When did you intend telling me?”
“Actually, in your room at The Savoy.” I lifted my chin defiantly. “I was just about to, but then you thwarted me by telling me…Oh, you know what you said.”
“I certainly do.”
“So, you came to the abbey tonight to hear me sing?”
He smiled slightly. “Oh, no. I came to the abbey to hear Miss Barri sing. I read in the paper only this morning that she was making an appearance and since Alastair had waxed lyrical about her, I thought I would take a look myself and make up my own mind.”
“And what did you think of her?”
He leaned back in his seat. “I thought her…beautiful. Inspiring. And, to tell you the truth, I couldn’t take my eyes off her.”
“You liked her singing?” I asked coyly, looking down at the prayer book resting on my lap.
“I thought she was unbelievable.”
“And worth every penny of one shilling and sixpence?”
Without looking at me, he reached across and covered my hands with one of his. “Every single penny and more, my darling.”
I looked at him and seeing his firm, strong profile, I decided that it was time to tell him everything. In a voice that was choked, I said, “It’s what I…needed the money for. The twelve…hundred pounds.”
He turned his head to look at me, frowning. “To sing?” I nodded and told him everything. His eyes stayed on me throughout. “Dear Lord. You went through childbirth, to get the money to train as an opera singer?”
“Yes.”
“You couldn’t find the money any other way?”
“No.”
“Would no one be your patron? Surely you knew someone of influence who would have put up the money for you?”
“But I didn’t. Everyone I knew was struggling as much as I.”
“Even with a voice as beautiful as yours?”
“Oh, Brett, there are hundreds of hopefuls with beautiful voices, waiting their opportunity. Even after the academy and I went to Covent Garden, I had to be in the chorus for a number of years, before I was finally offered a leading role. It’s been a long and difficult road, believe me.”
He blew out a long breath. “Goodness, you should have told me you wanted to go to the academy when we first met. I would have given you my patronage gladly.”
“You did in a way.”
He grimaced. “I mean besides our arrangement.”
“You hardly knew me. Why would you have paid my fees?”
“Because I cared for you.”
I laid a gentle hand on his arm. “How kind, but the arrangement we made suited all parties concerned. As Mr Perry says quid pro quo.”
“That’s not what you said at Claythorpe or at my club or in the art gallery.” He inclined his head towards me and added sternly, “In fact, if I remember rightly you were filled with remorse that you had given up your child for financial gain.”
“Yes, I know,” I groaned. “And I still feel guilty.”
He gave a pleasant chuckle. “It’s been an interesting day. I discover that the celebrated Miss Barri has consented to sing in the abbey and I decide to find out for myself what this Lady of the Flowers is all about. And instead I see the woman I love and the mother of my child, standing in front of hundreds of people, singing like an angel. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.”
“Why would you want to do either?”
He raised my hand to his lips and kissed it. “Because I was happy and sad at the same time. I couldn’t believe it was you and I was finally hearing you sing. And I realised that you were the woman that everyone adores. It made me very proud.”
I smiled and looked around, realising that the abbey was emptying, as it was nearly time to lock the doors.
“Well, that’s everything. Every secret I have, you now know.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, cocking his head to one side.
“Of course.”
“You’re not going to tell me in a few months that you’re related to nobility? Or a distant cousin of the Queen?”
I snorted in contempt. “What nonsense.” But then I smiled happily. “When did you arrive in Bath?”
“Last night.”
“What a shame. If you’d arrived earlier then you could have come to the theatre and seen my performance.”
“I intend to.”
“When?”
He took in a breath. “Are you performing on the south coast?”
I nodded. “Yes, the summer will be all along the coast.”
“Brighton?”
“That will be the last venue, thank goodness,” I sighed.
A smile lit up his face. “Let me know wh
at days you’re in Brighton and I’ll make sure we’re there. We always go to the seaside in summer. Emily likes to build sandcastles.”
“Wonderful,” I laughed.
“I’ll tell my wife tonight that you are the famous opera singer, Miss Emmeline Barri.” He squeezed my hand. “I’ll have to tell Emily in the morning, but I know she’ll be delighted. In her eyes you can do no wrong.”
I paused before saying huskily, “Give her a kiss for me.” I turned my head away. “I can’t believe it’s over a year since we had that terrible argument.”
He squeezed my hand again. “Let’s put it in the past.”
“We’ll have to go soon. They’re locking up.”
He seemed to be struggling with his thoughts. “Isabelle, please tell me if that wonderful evening we shared, is our last. I have to know where I stand with you. I need to know if there’s any hope.”
“Would you like us to meet again?” I asked demurely.
He nodded. “More than anything.” He gave a sigh. “I know it will be difficult for us to meet, but with careful planning, we should be able to spend time together.”
I glanced around, slightly embarrassed at the topic of conversation in such a hallowed place.
“What about your marriage?”
He closed his eyes briefly as if trying to summon his courage. “What I told you that night still applies. I don’t love my wife and our marriage is nothing more than a shell. But I shall stay with her.”
“And you promise you’ll not leave her because of me?”
“I promise.”
“How long are you staying in Bath?”
“Oh, just a month. We come so that my wife can take the waters.”
“I’m not sure if the waters of Bath really work,” I smiled.
“Neither am I,” he laughed. “But she likes to visit once a year.”
Slowly, I reached for his hand. “I’ve missed you more than I can say.”
He took my hand and pressed a kiss into the palm. “Oh, Isabelle,” he whispered. “I’m so happy and…”
He was interrupted by a commotion at the main door. A man was forcing himself in, demanding to be allowed entry to the nave, his voice raised in anger. I turned my head to see Andrew pushing past a steward, his face as black as thunder. He rushed towards us, almost knocking over a couple who were making their way down the aisle. The man grabbed his arm and said something I couldn’t hear. Andrew shrugged him off without looking at him; his stare fixed on Brett. We jumped to our feet at the same time and in alarm, I went to meet him, stunned at the fury in his eyes.
He gripped my arms tightly. “I thought you were coming straight back!” he hissed through his teeth. “You said you would come straight back.”
“We were talking,” I said, trying to pacify him.
He shook me like an errant puppy. “I was worried when I returned to the hotel and you weren’t there.”
Brett placed his hand on Andrew’s firm grip. “I think it better if you released your hold, sir.”
They glared at each other.
“She’s my responsibility and I want her back in the hotel where she’s safe,” said Andrew.
“Mrs Asquith was quite safe with me, I assure you.”
“I can’t be sure of that.”
I felt puzzled. “But Andrew, you agreed that Lord Shelbrook would accompany me.”
His look of anger deepened. “Yes I did. But I didn’t expect you to stay out.”
“Oh, for goodness sake. I’m a grown woman not a child.”
Brett held his hand in front of me as if to protect me. “Mrs Asquith is quite right. She’s old enough to make her own decisions. Your behaviour is unreasonable, sir.”
His persuasive words seemed to bring Andrew to his senses. He sucked in a few controlled breaths. “Yes, all right. Perhaps I’m being a little overprotective. But you must return now.” He turned to Lord Shelbrook. “My apologies, sir. I worry about her and I thought she might have come to harm.”
Brett bowed politely. “Your concern for Mrs Asquith is admirable.”
Andrew offered his arm and I felt compelled to take it. We walked down the aisle with Brett a step behind and at the main door we said our farewells. His retreating back left me with a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I wouldn’t see him for months, not until we reached the south coast. Feeling frustrated, I turned on Andrew in anger.
“How dare you! You completely humiliated me in front of a friend who has every intention of seeing I come to no harm.”
Andrew winced. “I’m sorry, Isabelle. I didn’t mean to embarrass you, but I was concerned for your wellbeing.”
“Anyway, what are you doing back so early?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I thought you would have been out with your lady friend until the early hours.”
“What lady friend?”
I clicked my tongue. “You can’t fool me. The note you received after dinner was from an admirer, I know it was.”
“I have no lady friend,” he said softly. “Other than you.”
“Andrew Perry, if you have a lady admirer, then I don’t mind. You don’t need to hide her from me. In fact, I’d love to meet her.”
I laughed and started running. He ran after me grim-faced and caught up with me in seconds. Thrusting my hand through his arm, he made me walk beside him. We didn’t speak all the way back to the hotel, his face tense, his eyes pinpoints of light under the brim of his hat. And in the corridor outside our rooms he said goodnight coldly, hardly looking at me.
I didn’t realise it at the time, but that was the start. The sins of the past were about to catch up with me and the consequences would be more painful than I could ever have imagined.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
It was wonderful meeting Danny and Miss Rupp at Bristol railway station and I ran along the platform gathering my son in my arms. Did I imagine it or had he grown taller? He was certainly full of news about his month at Claythorpe.
“I rode Pegasus right round the field, Mama.When I speak to him he nuzzles my neck. His lordship said I did well and that if I kept talking to him he would get to know me.”
I smiled in delight and glanced at Miss Rupp who was grinning. “He did have a lovely time, ma’am. As did I. I’ve never been made so welcome in a big house.”
“And we went swimming in the river, Mama. The weather was so warm and we swung on the rope. Abigail and I had a competition to see how far we could jump. But she won.”
“They were supervised at all times, ma’am,” said Miss Rupp seriously. “And his lordship swam too on many of the afternoons, so he was quite safe.”
“I’m sure he was. I wasn’t worried in the slightest.”
I put my arm round his shoulder and with Miss Rupp following with the porter and luggage, I guided them to the waiting cab and we travelled to the hotel. Bristol was my last engagement before crossing the Severn into Wales and I had already planned to show Danny a little of my homeland. There might even be enough time for a trip to the seaside.
My first night in Bristol went as expected and I was happy with my performance. I was becoming quite skilled at throwing flowers and often hit where I aimed for. But it was on the second night that I got the surprise of my life. I had decided to start with a few extracts from Gilbert and Sullivan. I followed this with two songs from Carmen and the applause that followed was deafening. In order to bring the tempo down, my last song was Greensleeves.
It was one of my favourite tunes since it reflected the sadness of a broken heart. As I sang I glanced towards the wings where Andrew usually stood. He was there, but his expression was grim. He seemed deep in thought and as our eyes met, he looked startled and quickly turned away. Oh dear, I thought, he really is suffering. His lady friend must have had a phenomenal affect on him.
I faced front again and then movement in a box on the left-hand side attracted my attention. A pair of white, thin arms had folded themselves on the padded
restraint that enclosed the box and I saw the glint of a shiny satin bow. At the end of the song the lights went up and I could see the little girl with dark brown hair and dark eyes in a small, impish face.
She waved and I waved back and blew her a kiss. Her father sat just behind her and he was smiling as he bent forward to whisper something in her ear. She nodded and returned my kiss. The basket of flowers arrived and I threw them out to grasping hands. And then I threw a carnation into the box and Brett reached out, caught it and gave it to Emily. I left the stage in a daze.
In the dressing room, Martha helped me undress and I wrapped my dressing gown round me. I could hardly believe what I had seen. Had Brett brought Emily especially to see my show? Were they planning on staying overnight so that I could meet up with them? I didn’t need to ponder for long before laughter outside the door and a sharp knock was followed by Emily rushing in without ceremony and running straight into my arms. Brett followed her, but stood back a little, as if not wanting to spoil our reunion.
“Oh, Mrs Asquith, you were so good. And so pretty. Papa said you were and he was right.”
I hugged her to me. “Did you enjoy it?”
“Yes, but I liked the last song best. I sing Greensleeves when I can, you know.”
I stroked her hair. “I do know. We sang it together, remember?”
“Yes, when you were playing the piano at Claythorpe. But I didn’t know you were Miss Barri then.”
Brett took a few steps towards us. “It was a wonderful performance, Isabelle.”
“Thank you,” I smiled. “Have you come all the way from Bath?”
“It’s not that far,” he laughed. “But we’re staying overnight at the Grand.”
“I’m staying there too.”
He nodded. “I thought you and Danny would like to accompany us to the park tomorrow and then take luncheon with us before we return to Bath.”
I couldn’t hide my delight. “I would love to do that.”
“Shall we meet in the foyer after breakfast, then?” asked Brett.
I put my arm round Emily. “Danny will be so delighted to see you again. Perhaps we can take his cricket bat and ball and have a game.”