The Dollmaker's Daughters

by Dilly Court

  ‘How dare you manhandle me?’ Ruby began, and then stopped as a puppy leapt out of a wicker basket and jumped up at her making excited whimpering sounds. ‘Oh, the little darling.’ Bending down, she scooped the puppy up and held it against her cheek. It licked her face, yelping ecstatically, and she rubbed her cheek against its soft fur, inhaling the warm puppy smell as if it were the most expensive French perfume.

  Jonas stood watching her for a moment and then, taking the puppy gently from her hands, he set it down in its basket. Without a word, he swept her into his arms and began kissing her, softly at first, tenderly but with mounting desire. Running his hand through her hair, he held her so that she could not escape even if she had wanted to, and she didn’t want to. Her lips parted and her arms slid around his neck; tongues caressing, teeth grazing, lips devouring, Ruby felt herself swirling in a vortex of desire that sent her senses spinning out of control. When he released her to draw breath, she relaxed against him with a deep sigh, resting her forehead against his chest until the world righted itself.

  Tilting her head back with his finger under her chin, Jonas’s eyes bored into her soul. ‘Now say you don’t love me, Ruby. Say it if you can but I won’t believe you.’

  ‘Don’t do this to me,’ Ruby gasped, struggling to catch her breath. ‘This isn’t love, it’s not.’

  Jonas let her go and her legs refused to hold her so that she stumbled, narrowly missing treading on the puppy. ‘What is love to you, then?’ he demanded angrily. ‘Your saintly doctor friend who lusted after you while he was promised to your best friend? That was all right, was it, because it was done in a gentlemanly fashion? Take a good look at life, Ruby; real life, I mean, not the stuff of penny romances. Would your doctor go against his family and marry you? Would you really be happy with a pale shadow of a man with milk in his veins instead of blood?’

  ‘Leave me alone, Jonas.’

  ‘For the moment I will, but I know you better than you know yourself, Ruby. You need me just as I need you. I’m not prepared to lose you to a romantic schoolgirl’s dream.’

  Before Ruby could reply, the kitchen door opened. ‘I thought you’d come to get Martha’s present.’ Billy’s grin faded into an apologetic smile. ‘Shall I go out again?’

  Ruby pushed past him. ‘Don’t talk soft, Billy.’

  Managing to avoid Jonas by working extra hours at the hospital, Ruby did not want to spend Christmas Day in Raven Street, but Mum and Granny were so looking forward to it that she hadn’t the heart to disappoint them. Rosetta and Billy were going to be there with Elsie and Martha, and Granny Mole was betting that she could out-drink Lottie, given half a chance. Sarah had spent hours trimming an old dress with lace that was left over from the doll-making days and was planning to wear it on Christmas Day. Her eyes sparkled with excitement when she told Ruby that Jonas was coming over in his motor car to drive them to Raven Street and she couldn’t wait to see the grand things that Jonas had done to the house since their last visit. Rose had told her all about it and said it was fine enough for the Queen to visit, should she happen to be in Shoreditch at any time. Sarah had chuckled at the idea of the old Queen dropping by for a cup of tea and a biscuit. It was so good to hear her mother laugh again that Ruby made up her mind the day would go without a hitch; nothing must happen to set back Mum’s complete recovery.

  Ruby had not intended to dress up for the occasion but when she came downstairs in her ordinary day clothes, the disappointment in her mum’s eyes, and Granny Mole’s blunt remark that she looked like a ragbag, sent her scurrying up to her room to change into the silk gown that she had worn to Rosetta’s wedding. The only mirror in the house was the small one above the mantelpiece in the living room and she could only see her head and neck in that, but the appreciative expression in Jonas’s eyes when he arrived to collect them made the blood rush to her face. Annoyed at herself for being pleased, Ruby greeted him coolly and concentrated her efforts on getting Mum and Granny settled on the back seat in the motor car. Having draped a fur travel rug across their knees, Jonas offered his arm to help Ruby into the front passenger seat.

  ‘I can manage, thanks.’

  ‘Of course you can.’ Handing her a tartan rug, Jonas went to crank the starting handle.

  ‘See the faces at the windows,’ Sarah said smugly. ‘I bet they’d all die for a chance to ride in a horseless carriage.’

  ‘If he don’t get a move on we’ll freeze to death,’ Granny grumbled, snuggling the fur rug up to her chin. ‘Coney,’ she said, sniffing.

  ‘Hush, Ma. It don’t matter if it is bunny fur, it’s warmer than a piece of sacking.’

  Ruby glanced at Jonas’s profile as he leapt in beside her; she could tell by the angle of his jaw that he had overheard the remarks from the back seat and he was grinning. As he put the engine into gear, Jonas turned his head to look at her and his eyes were brimming with laughter. Ruby found herself smiling back; maybe the day would turn out better than she had anticipated.

  Tucker opened the door and Sarah, who was leaning heavily on Jonas’s arm, gave a gasp of surprise and delight. Even Granny Mole made an appreciative noise at the back of her throat, a cross between a growl and an exclamation of pleasure. In the middle of the floor, reaching almost up to the high ceiling, was a Christmas tree sparkling with dozens of lighted candles and hung with glass balls, tinsel and strings of shiny beads. Dazzled, Ruby inhaled the scent of pine and warm candle wax. Piled around the tree were boxes tied with red ribbons and interestingly shaped parcels. Martha was sitting on the floor playing with a piece of tinsel and Rosetta stood by the tree arm in arm with Billy. She was smiling happily, her cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling. Breaking free, she rushed towards them giving everyone a hug in turn.

  ‘Isn’t it wonderful? Hasn’t Jonas done us proud, Mum?’

  ‘It’s all very beautiful, ducks,’ Sarah said, smiling up at Jonas. ‘I never seen nothing like it in me life.’

  ‘Nor me either,’ Granny muttered. ‘Must have cost a bloody fortune.’

  Jonas threw back his head and laughed. ‘Come upstairs to the sitting room and have a drink to keep out the cold.’

  ‘First sensible thing I’ve heard today.’ Granny headed for the stairs at a spanking pace, forgetting to pick up her walking stick. ‘I suppose that Carlottie has been at the sherry all morning.’

  ‘No, Granny Mole,’ Jonas said, following more slowly with Sarah on his arm. ‘You’ll have a surprise when you see Lottie. She’s given up the drink.’

  ‘Never!’ Sarah said. ‘D’you hear that, girls?’

  ‘That’s not the half of it,’ Rosetta said, winking at Ruby. ‘Just you wait and see.’

  Billy picked Martha up from the floor, giving her a smacking kiss on the cheek when she protested. ‘You’ll get your presents in a bit, Princess. Let’s see if Uncle Jonas has got some sweeties for you.’ He turned to Elsie who was hovering in the background, looking uncomfortable, and held out his hand. ‘Come on, Elsie. You’d better get to the sweets quick, afore my Martha gobbles up the lot.’

  Elsie giggled self-consciously and took his hand as he mounted the stairs.

  ‘Uncle Jonas?’ Ruby fell into step beside Rosetta. ‘How cosy.’

  ‘Give him a chance,’ Rosetta whispered. ‘Jump off that high horse of yours, Ruby. It’s time you realised you can’t save the world all on your own.’

  ‘That’s not fair,’ Ruby protested, falling into step behind Billy, Martha and Elsie. ‘I don’t think anything of the sort.’

  The sitting room was festooned with holly and another Christmas tree, not quite so large but equally laden with candles and decorations, stood in the corner of the room. A coal fire blazed up the chimney. Hanging from the chandelier in the centre of the room was a bunch of mistletoe; Jonas kissed Sarah on the cheek and seized Granny Mole round the waist, planting a smacker on her forehead. She protested loudly, gave him a gap-toothed grin and sat down giggling like a schoolgirl. He kissed Rosetta, who managed to mov
e her head so that he caught her full on the lips. Handing Martha to Elsie, Billy wrapped his arms around Rosetta and kissed her until she cried out that she needed air. Jonas kissed Elsie’s hand, making her blush, and then he turned to Ruby. There was a breathless pause as everyone watched and waited. Ruby’s heart was hammering so loudly against her ribcage that she was sure they could all hear it. She lifted her chin and looked Jonas in the eyes as he slid his arm around her waist, drew her to him and kissed her long, slowly and sensuously until Ruby almost forgot that there were others present.

  ‘Merry Christmas, Ruby, my love,’ Jonas said, releasing her lips but still holding her close.

  Granny Mole made a loud noise clearing her throat. ‘A person could die of thirst.’

  Smiling, Jonas kissed the tip of Ruby’s nose before she had a chance to break free. ‘I love you, Ruby,’ he said softly.

  ‘What’s that?’ demanded Granny.

  With his arm around Ruby’s waist, Jonas turned to Granny Mole. ‘What will you have to drink?’

  ‘I’ll have a drop of gin,’ Granny said. ‘Can’t believe that Carlottie ain’t drunk the lot.’

  ‘Ma!’ Sarah nudged her in the ribs. ‘Behave yourself.’

  With the taste of Jonas still on her lips, Ruby went to sit in a chair by the fire. If only Poppa and Joe could have been here, she thought, watching Elsie sitting on the floor playing with Martha, Rosetta cuddled up close to Billy on the chaise longue and Mum and Granny Mole side by side on the sofa, sipping their drinks. She cast a sidelong glance at Jonas who stood with his back to the fire, an appreciative smile curving his lips. If she reached out her hand she could touch him, but she could feel his nearness like the warm glow from the burning coals. As if he sensed her looking at him, Jonas turned his head and, as he embraced her with his smile, it was as if they were the only two people in the room. But the moment was broken as the door opened and Lottie made a dramatic entrance.

  ‘Oh my God!’ Granny Mole almost choked on her gin.

  Sarah stared open-mouthed and Rosetta and Billy exchanged covert grins as if they had known all along. Wearing the uniform of the Salvation Army, Lottie stood in the middle of the room obviously enjoying the sensation she had caused.

  ‘I just come to wish you the compliments of the season,’ she said graciously. ‘Of course, now I’m a member of the Church Army, I don’t hold with drinking and gambling and all that, but I ain’t never been one to spoil other people’s fun.’

  ‘Blooming hell!’ Granny Mole’s jaw fell open.

  ‘Well I never,’ Sarah said, shaking her head. ‘Who’d have thought it?’

  Rosetta jumped to her feet and hugged Lottie. ‘I knew but I didn’t want to spoil the surprise. Ain’t this a corker?’

  Lottie shrugged her shoulders. ‘A person can change, that’s all I can say. Now I’ve got the Lord’s work to do, feeding the poor.’

  ‘We’ll save you some dinner,’ Jonas said, his lips twitching.

  Lottie flashed him a smile. ‘You a good boy, Jonas.’

  It was Billy’s turn to chuckle. ‘I bet you never got called that before.’

  ‘It’s a bit late in the day to act like a proper mum,’ Granny Mole muttered under her breath.

  Hooking his arm around Lottie’s uniformed shoulders, Jonas kissed her on the cheek. ‘We’ve come to an understanding, haven’t we Lottie?’

  Nodding and smiling up at him, Lottie patted his hand. Ruby felt a lump in her throat, sensing that a genuine affection had sprung up between them. Her last barriers were crumbling; the hedge of thorns that she had cultivated around her heart to stop herself from loving Jonas was being scythed away as she saw more of his human side.

  ‘I got to go,’ Lottie said, straightening her bonnet.

  ‘Well, if you ain’t hungry, Carlottie,’ Granny Mole said, scowling, ‘I’m weak from lack of nourishment.’

  ‘God bless you, my dear,’ Lottie said, and walked out of the room, chuckling.

  The spread that Jonas had laid on for them was a feast such as none of them had ever seen. There was mulligatawny soup to start with, served piping hot from a huge tureen with freshly baked bread, provided by Billy. The goose was cooked to perfection, stuffed with sage and onion, served with apple sauce and a mountain of golden roast potatoes. Granny Mole gorged herself until her eyes were popping out of her head and everyone, even Sarah whose appetite since her attack had been small, managed to enjoy a little of everything. The Christmas pudding was brought in alight with blue flames and studded with silver threepenny bits. Wine was served with every course, and to finish a huge platter of petits fours was brought with coffee and brandy.

  ‘You done us proud, old man,’ Billy said, puffing a Havana cigar. ‘I ain’t never seen a spread like that in me whole life.’

  Jonas raised his glass. ‘Here’s to your new business venture, Billy and Rosetta.’

  ‘Next Christmas we’ll give you dinner,’ Rosetta said, leaning tipsily against Billy. ‘In our new home what I’m going to make just as grand as this one, Ruby.’ She raised her glass to Ruby and winked. ‘Maybe you’ll have some good news for us too, eh?’

  Billy laid his finger on her lips. ‘Now, now, Rose. Don’t go embarrassing your sister.’

  Rosetta staggered to her feet, pointing at Granny Mole, whose chin had drooped onto her chest and she was snoring softly. ‘She’s drunk.’

  ‘So are you, pet,’ Billy said, standing up and slipping his arm around her waist. ‘I suggest you, me and Elsie take Martha out for a bit of fresh air and let Ma and Granny have forty winks.’

  ‘You want to come too, Ruby?’ Rosetta swayed against Billy.

  Jonas reached out and laid his hand on Ruby’s arm. ‘I’ve something I want to show Ruby. You go and enjoy your walk, Rose.’

  ‘I can make up my own mind, thank you, Jonas,’ Ruby said, getting to her feet. ‘I’d like some air as it happens.’

  Jonas nodded. ‘That was what I intended. Better wrap up; it’s cold outside.’

  Instead of following Billy and Rosetta, Jonas caught Ruby by the hand and led her up the steps to Lottie’s old house. Taking a key from his pocket, he unlocked the door.

  ‘What are you doing?’ Ruby hesitated as he held the door open.

  ‘Come inside and see.’

  Puzzled and more than a bit curious, Ruby stepped over the threshold. Inside, the entrance hall was unrecognisable. The drab, peeling paint had been stripped and the walls gleamed white, the woodwork glowing with warm mahogany stain. The old, cracked floor tiles had been replaced with black and white marble and the staircase curved upwards, carpeted in rich red as if royalty were expected to call. Taking Ruby by the hand, Jonas led her into room after room, all newly painted and decorated and resoundingly empty. He took her upstairs and every room was done to the same high standard, with bathrooms on each floor and separate water closets. When they reached the top floor, the attic rooms had been turned into a comfortable apartment, furnished with elegance and at a cost that Ruby could barely imagine.

  ‘I don’t understand,’ Ruby said breathlessly. ‘It’s an amazing change, but what is it for?’

  Jonas grasped both her hands in a firm hold, looking directly into her eyes. ‘I’ve done it all for you, Ruby.’

  ‘For me?’

  ‘It’s not finished yet, but it will be the Joseph Capretti Free Hospital. I can’t bring Joe back, but at least I can see that his name is never forgotten.’

  ‘Oh, Jonas.’ Ruby blinked away tears. ‘I don’t know what to say.’

  ‘You can oversee the buying and fitting out of the rooms. The treatment will be free to those who otherwise couldn’t afford to pay.’

  ‘You want me to run a hospital? But I’m not qualified yet.’

  ‘You will be, my darling. I know how hard you’ve worked and I wouldn’t expect you to give it up simply because you’re married.’

  ‘Jonas, I’m not getting married.’

  Drawing her to him, Jonas wrapped his arms ar
ound her, teasing her lips with soft kisses until she couldn’t hold out any longer and her lips parted with a sigh.

  ‘I want you, Ruby,’ Jonas said, his eyes dark with desire. ‘I want you now and for ever. I’m never going to let you go again. Just admit that you love me.’

  Dazed and barely able to think, Ruby struggled to control her breathing. ‘I do.’

  Gripping her by the shoulders, Jonas held her tight. ‘Say it again. Say it, Ruby.’

  ‘I love you, Jonas.’

  ‘Thank God,’ he breathed into her hair. ‘Oh, Ruby, you don’t know how long I’ve wanted to hear you say those words.’ His mouth sought hers and his kiss was fierce with the hunger of want and need.

  Twining her arms around his neck, Ruby felt the last of her doubts and fears vanish together with her inhibitions, returning his kiss until at last she drew away, breathless and trembling. ‘I can’t believe that you’ve done all this for me.’

  ‘For us. I’m nothing without you, Ruby. I’m not a good man and I don’t want you running away with the idea that I’ve seen the light like Lottie. Everything I’ve done is for you because you are the good side of me.’

  ‘And you’re a good liar too.’ Smiling, Ruby brushed his lips with a kiss. ‘I’ve seen the good side of you, Jonas, even if you do your best to hide it.’

  ‘I’m not pretending that all my business dealings are as honourable as this one, Ruby, but I won’t lie to you. I’ve set up a charitable trust to pay for the running of the hospital. The way things are, I’ll probably make a profit somewhere along the line, but I promise you it will go back into the funds and you can look after the poor and the sick to your heart’s content. Just say you’ll marry me, Ruby.’

  Ruby looked deep into his eyes and saw her own reflection. Reaching up, she pulled his head down so that their lips met and locked, tongue caressing tongue, heart beating against heart.

  Jonas pulled away first. ‘I love you, Ruby. Will you marry me?’