by Dilly Court
‘I know. It happened quite suddenly. One moment she thought I was my mother and then everything seemed to fall into place. It’s such a relief.’
Froniga gave her a searching look. ‘He’s gone, hasn’t he? I can tell by your face.’
‘He thought someone ought to be in London to put a stop to the game Linus is playing.’
‘And you want to go with him?’
‘Of course I do, but I can’t leave the children, and Granny is my responsibility, not yours. You’ve been marvellous, Froniga. I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t been there to help.’
‘I can look after the youngsters, and Eva can help me. It would give her something to think about other than herself.’
‘I can’t just walk out on Monty. He’s been good enough to take us in. It would be very ungrateful.’
Froniga stood arms akimbo, a determined look on her face. ‘And why do you think he’s been so good to you? Do you imagine that Stella is jealous for nothing? Use your head, girl. Stop worrying about other people for once and follow your inclinations.’
‘Do you think I should go with Bram?’
‘That’s something only you can decide, my duck. But I know what I would do if I was in love with the fellow.’
Chapter Twenty-Three
BEDWIN’S RHEUMY EYES opened wide and his jaw dropped. ‘Miss Lucy. You’ve come home at last.’
Forgetting that she was mistress of the house, Lucy flung her arms around him and kissed his papery cheek. ‘I couldn’t stay away a day longer. I’ve been so worried about you and Hester.’ She bent down to make a fuss of Peckham, who had seemingly forgotten his aged bones and had come to greet her, wagging his stumpy tail.
‘Him and me are growing old together,’ Bedwin observed with a hint of a smile.
‘I love you both,’ Lucy said, giving the dog an extra pat. ‘It’s good to see you.’
Bram dumped their hastily packed valises on the floor. ‘How are things, Bedwin? Has Mr Daubenay been troubling you?’
‘Not in person, sir.’ Bedwin stood to attention. A touch of colour had sprung to his cheeks and he was suddenly alert. ‘I wouldn’t have admitted him if he had. This is Miss Lucy’s house.’
Lucy breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Thank you, Bedwin. I knew I could rely on you.’
‘You’re a good man.’ Bram slapped him on the shoulder. ‘I’ll take these cases up to our rooms.’
‘That’s my job, sir.’
Bedwin made a move to pick up Lucy’s valise, but Bram shook his head. ‘I’ll do it. I need to stretch my legs.’
Lucy flashed him a grateful smile. ‘And I must see Hester and find out what’s been happening while I’ve been away.’ She made her way downstairs to the kitchen, where she found Hester preparing vegetables for the evening meal.
‘Lucy.’ Hester dropped the knife and hurried round the table to give her a hug. ‘Thank God you’ve come home. Linus came to the house yesterday while Bedwin was out. I didn’t tell the poor old chap because he gets all of a flutter.’
Surprised by this unexpected outward show of emotion, Lucy returned the embrace. ‘Are you all right, Hester? I hope Linus didn’t say anything to upset you.’
‘He tried to make me tell him where you were, but he doesn’t frighten me. I told him to go to hell.’ Hester’s cheeks flushed rosily and her generous bosom heaved. ‘I’ve seen him at his worst and for two pins I’d have knocked him down with my rolling pin.’
‘Hester, you’re a marvel.’ Lucy took off her bonnet and tossed it onto one of the pegs behind the door. ‘It’s good to be home. Bram has come with me and he’s determined to put an end to Linus’s threats and bullying.’
‘Where are the little ones?’ Hester asked anxiously. ‘Are they safe and well? Linus mustn’t be allowed to get his hands on them. He might be their father but he’s no more feeling for them than a codfish.’
‘Don’t worry about them. They’re thriving and they love everything about the circus. I left Froniga in charge and she won’t stand for any nonsense.’
Hester put her head on one side. ‘And what about Eva?’
‘She was in a bad way at first, but she’s recovering slowly.’
‘I’m glad to hear it, even if I’ll never understand how the woman could sell her own flesh and blood. Anyway, I’d better put the kettle on. You must be hungry and thirsty after your journey.’
‘Has it been very difficult here on your own? I mean, have you been able to manage with just the money from the lodgers?’
‘I got used to making do on a pittance when I was with Meg, but we were a bit short of the reddies so I took in someone else to help make ends meet.’
Lucy pulled up a chair and sat down. ‘Another gentleman?’
‘No, as a matter of fact it’s a lady. Well, I suppose you could call her a lady.’ Hester pursed her lips. ‘A theatrical person. She’s appearing at Wilton’s music hall.’ She lowered her voice. ‘She sings bawdy songs, or so I’ve been told. Gilbert and Leonard took the boy there to see her perform. They asked me to accompany them but I said I didn’t like that sort of vulgarity.’
‘Even so, it’s quite exciting.’ Momentarily forgetting her problems, Lucy leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. ‘Is she here now?’
‘Sleeping.’ Hester moved the kettle onto the hob. ‘Sleeps all day and gets up in time to go to the theatre. Eats like a bird and is always asking for hot water. I never knew anyone who washed themselves as much as she does. I know cleanliness is next to godliness, but she carries it a bit too far.’ Hester lowered her voice. ‘And she smokes little black cigars.’
‘I’m looking forward to meeting her,’ Lucy said, suppressing a giggle. She had never seen Hester shocked by anything before, which made the mystery lady even more interesting. She glanced over her shoulder as Bram entered the room. ‘I expect you’re ready for some refreshment.’
‘I am indeed.’ Bram pulled up a chair and sat down beside her. ‘Who were you talking about?’
‘Hester’s just told me that we’ve got an interesting new lodger – a lady who performs on stage in Wilton’s music hall. Perhaps we could go and see her, Bram. It would be lovely to do something together.’
Hester turned to stare at them. ‘What’s going on between you two?’
‘Nothing,’ Lucy said hastily. ‘We’re good friends, as always.’
‘Seems like there’s more to it than that, but it’s none of my business.’ Hester sniffed and stood on tiptoe to take the tea caddy from the mantelshelf. ‘I’ll need some money if I’m to feed both of you as well as the lodgers.’
Bram reached for Lucy’s hand beneath the table and gave it a gentle squeeze. ‘Don’t worry, Hester my love. I’ve got funds, and I’ve no intention of letting Linus get his hands on what’s left of my money.’
Lucy returned the pressure on his fingers. ‘What next? Will you go and see Mr Goldspink?’
He nodded. ‘Yes. I need to find out if there are any developments, and then I think I’ll pay a call on Linus.’
‘Is that wise?’
‘I’m not afraid of him, Lucy. The nippers are safe with Froniga and you’re here with Hester and Bedwin. What can he do, that he hasn’t done already? I’ll pay him back the money he says you owe him and have done with it.’
‘There’s no need for that.’ A silvery voice from the doorway made them all turn to look at the woman who leaned against the door jamb, striking a dramatic pose. She paused for a moment, allowing them time to observe the elegant cut of her purple silk gown, which accentuated her voluptuous bosom and an impossibly small waist. ‘Since Miss Gant seems to have lost her tongue I’ll have to introduce myself.’ She walked slowly towards them, gliding swan-like over the flagstones. ‘My name is Christelle Arnaud.’
Lucy stared at her with a strange stirring in her breast. The intriguing newcomer was not in the first flush of youth, and the blush on her cheeks might have been created by a skilful application of rouge, but she
was a remarkably handsome woman. There was something achingly familiar about her sparkling green eyes and guinea-gold curls which convinced Lucy that they had met before, and slowly the truth dawned upon her. She rose unsteadily to her feet, hardly able to breathe. Her pulses were racing so fast that the blood drummed in her ears, and for a moment she thought she might faint. ‘Mama?’
Christelle frowned. ‘Don’t call me that. I’m too young to have a grown-up daughter.’
‘But you are my mother, aren’t you?’
‘I gave birth to you, my dear, but I am not the maternal kind. I’d much prefer it if you would call me Christelle. Besides which, my husband isn’t aware of your existence, and I would rather he didn’t find out until I’m ready to break the news to him.’
Bram pushed his chair back and stood up to place a protective arm around Lucy’s shoulders. ‘You should think yourself lucky to have such a wonderful daughter.’
‘You’re more than fortunate,’ Hester said angrily. ‘I wouldn’t have taken you in if I’d known you were the one who abandoned your child. Shame on you, woman.’
Christelle shrugged her delicate shoulders. ‘Sticks and stones. I’m inured to bad press, so nothing you can say will make any difference. I’m an artiste, and as such I lead a different life from the dull day to day routine of people like you.’
Hester opened her mouth to retaliate but Lucy held up her hand. ‘This is getting us nowhere.’ She turned to her mother, trembling but in full control of her emotions. ‘You’re right, Christelle. You don’t know me nor I you, so why did you come here? It couldn’t have been by chance.’
‘Why don’t we all sit down and talk this over like civilised people?’ Bram said, pulling up a chair.
Christelle sank down gracefully, arranging her skirts with well-manicured hands. ‘I would like a cup of tea, if you please, Miss Gant, or something stronger if you have it.’
‘And what if I don’t please?’ Hester muttered.
Lucy shot her a warning look, but Hester merely shrugged and rose from the table to take a cup and saucer from the dresser. If Christelle had heard she chose to ignore Hester’s remark. ‘A tot of brandy would go down nicely,’ she said, sighing. ‘I dislike emotional reunions of any sort.’
‘Why did you come here?’ Lucy repeated the question, scarcely able to believe that this beautiful but seemingly self-obsessed woman was the mother she had longed to find.
Hester slapped a cup of tea down on the table in front of Christelle. ‘There are no spirits in the house. You’ll have to go to the pub if you want to get drunk.’
Christelle gave her a brittle smile. ‘You’re too kind.’
‘Did you come here knowing that this was my home?’ Lucy asked urgently. ‘I don’t understand why you’ve gone to the bother if you’re not interested in me.’
Christelle sipped her tea, eyeing Lucy over the rim of the cup. ‘If I tell you the truth you’ll be shocked.’
‘I don’t think there’s much that would shock me,’ Lucy said with a wry smile. ‘You left Granny and me to cope on our own. We survived the best way we could.’
Christelle flicked a glance at her, and looked away. ‘I knew you were well cared for. Your grandfather wouldn’t have anything to do with me, but you were his only grandchild and I was certain he would look after you. As to Ma, I knew she would protect you like a tigress.’
‘You know nothing of my life.’ Lucy stood before her mother, gazing down at her in a mixture of disbelief and anger. ‘Granny and I lived on the streets for years, stealing sometimes just to put food in our mouths, while you were travelling the world and living in luxury.’
‘Answer that if you can.’ Hester clutched the teapot as if she would like to bring it crashing down on Christelle’s coronet of golden curls.
‘So why have you come back now, Christelle? And why come here if you’re not interested in your daughter’s well-being?’ Bram moderated his tone although Lucy could feel the tension in his fingers as they rested on her shoulder.
‘My being here should prove something to you, young man.’ Christelle looked him up and down. ‘You’re a handsome, well set up fellow. Are you two lovers?’
‘Are you always this rude to people you barely know?’ Lucy demanded. ‘Or do you want to humiliate me further?’
‘My dear girl, I returned to London with only one thought in mind.’ Christelle’s eyes narrowed to cat-like slits. ‘I intended to put a bullet through Linus Daubenay’s wicked heart.’
There was a stunned silence. Lucy was the first to speak. ‘You wanted to kill Linus? Why?’
‘He murdered my husband. I’ve waited for eighteen years to wreak my revenge on that despicable man.’
‘Murder? I was told that my father died in a duel.’
‘Julius died at the hands of his cousin, Linus Daubenay. He was a much better swordsman than my poor husband. It was cold-blooded murder.’
‘But it was a duel,’ Bram said slowly. ‘Why did they fight?’
‘I think you’d better tell us everything,’ Lucy murmured, sinking down onto her chair.
Christelle produced a gold case from her reticule and took out a cigarillo. She eyed Bram with a seductive flutter of her eyelashes. ‘Have you a match?’
‘I don’t hold with smoking in my kitchen,’ Hester said primly.
‘I’m beginning to dislike you, Miss Gant.’ Christelle bared her teeth in a smile which did not reach her eyes. She sat back in her chair, folding her white hands over the gold case with a sigh. ‘Linus was my lover before I met Julius. I was very young, little more than a child, with dreams of becoming a music hall star. He was rich and handsome and he turned my head with his compliments and promises to make me famous, but then I met your father. It was love at first sight for both of us.’
‘Trollop,’ Hester said loudly.
‘Julius asked me to marry him but Sir William forbade him to have anything to do with me, so we ran away. We lived in a hovel south of the river and that’s where you were born.’
‘And then you got married,’ Lucy said breathlessly.
‘No. That’s not true. We were married in secret before you were born. I can show you my marriage certificate if you don’t believe me.’
‘But Linus had a copy of it which proves that I’m a bastard.’
‘The only bastard in this case is Linus himself.’
‘But why have you come looking for me now, after all these years?’ Lucy demanded.
‘I’ve had to wait a long time before I had enough money saved to return to London. My husband handles my financial affairs and he’s a generous man when it comes to buying me clothes and jewels, but had he known my intentions he would have tried to stop me.’
‘As any man would,’ Bram said, frowning.
Christelle’s slender fingers tightened around the gold case and her knuckles whitened. ‘I knew where Linus lived and I went to his house, determined to make him grovel before I put an end to his worthless life, but when I saw him in his drunken debauched state I knew that he had been the architect of his own downfall. There was no need for me to commit murder.’
Lucy uttered a sigh of relief. Despite her mother’s indifference she could not bear the thought of her ending her life at the end of a hangman’s noose. ‘What did he tell you?’
‘When he realised that I couldn’t go through with my plan he reverted to his old arrogant, boastful self. He told me how he’d cheated you out of your inheritance by obtaining a copy of my marriage certificate and that he’d altered the date so it looked as though you were born out of wedlock.’
‘I can’t believe that even he would stoop so low,’ Lucy said slowly.
‘There’s nothing that man wouldn’t do. He never forgave me for leaving him for Julius, and he was determined to destroy my happiness. He seems to have carried his vendetta on to the next generation, namely you, my dear girl.’
‘He ruined my sister’s life,’ Bram said angrily. ‘She was the sweetest person you can im
agine, but he used her and then abandoned her. I think she died of a broken heart.’
‘That sounds so like him.’ Christelle took a cigarillo out of the case and stood up. ‘I’m sorry, Miss Gant. I must have a smoke.’ She moved gracefully to the range and lit a spill.
‘Pity you didn’t pull the trigger,’ Hester said with a grim smile. ‘If anyone deserved to be shot it’s that bastard, if you’ll excuse my language.’
Lucy stared at her mother, trying to understand what had motivated her to consider such a desperate action. ‘But what did he do to make you hate him so much? He’s a despicable person but there must be something you’re not telling us.’
‘This isn’t easy for me.’ Christelle inhaled smoke and exhaled with a sigh of satisfaction. ‘I don’t like talking about it, but you were a baby at the time and we were living in dire poverty, even though Julius had found himself a job in a counting house. His meagre wages only just kept us from starvation. Then one day Linus turned up on the doorstep. He said that he had come with a message from Sir William. I was young and naïve and I let him in, and he forced himself on me. He took me on the floor like an animal while my baby lay sleeping in her cradle. When Julius came home he found me in a terrible state. It was all I could do to prevent him going after Linus there and then.’
‘That’s awful,’ Lucy said slowly. ‘But you were in London. The duel was in Paris.’
‘I thought Julius had left for work as usual next morning, but I discovered later that he had gone to Half Moon Street, intent on having it out with Linus. The servants told him that debt collectors had been hammering at the door and Linus had fled to Paris. When Julius returned home he told me what had happened, but he couldn’t look at me, let alone touch me. Later that evening he walked out of the house and I never saw him again.’