by Dilly Court
‘It will be second class, Condesa,’ Robert said, smiling. ‘There’s no first-class travel for us this time.’
The white cliffs of Dover were fading into the misty purple dusk as the paddle steamer headed for the port, and it was almost dark by the time they disembarked.
‘What do we do now?’ Constance demanded as they picked up their luggage and started walking towards the town. ‘I’m tired and I’m hungry.’
‘We’re all feeling the same,’ Nettie said sharply.
Lisette gazed at the lights on a hill above the port. ‘That looks like a splendid hotel. I could do with a bath and a decent meal.’
‘We are broke, Ma,’ Percy sighed. ‘We can’t afford a cup of tea, let alone a night in luxury.’
Lisette turned on him angrily. ‘Either call me Maman or Lisette.’ She handed her valise to Robert. ‘You’ll carry this for me, won’t you, my dear? I am a little tired, but I refuse to sleep on another bench in a waiting room, or a shabby lodging house.’
‘That’s all very well,’ Robert said gently, ‘but how will we pay? We don’t want to draw attention to ourselves by getting into trouble the moment we put our foot on home soil.’
‘Leave that to me. It’s not too far to walk.’ She set off at a pace that made it necessary for the others to run in order to catch her up.
‘Are you sure this is wise, Ma?’ Byron asked warily. ‘The jewels are virtually worthless. You heard what the man said.’
‘Needs must when the devil drives. That’s what your father used to say, Byron. Well, the devil is driving me on, and I intend to sup with him.’
Nettie laid her hand on Byron’s arm. ‘There’s no point in arguing. Your mother will do as she pleases.’
‘I most certainly will.’ Lisette marched on, leaving Robert to carry her bag as well as his, and the others followed.
They arrived at the hotel to find a party in progress. Gaslights bathed everything in a golden glow and all the windows were flung open to let in the cool night air. Lisette sailed up to the reception desk, but Nettie could not hear the conversation for the noise of the revellers in the next room. The party seemed to be in full swing, although it was late in the evening. Men and women in evening dress paraded through the large foyer, some of them taking seats by the window while others went outside. The scent of expensive cigar smoke floated in through the open door, and the sound of champagne corks popping was followed by laughter and the strains of an orchestra striking up a waltz.
Lisette’s voice rose in a crescendo as she attempted to make herself heard, and it was obviously not going well with the harassed clerk. Percy and Byron went to her aid, but Lisette was by now in full spate like a river about to burst its dam.
‘We’ve been travelling for days,’ she said angrily. ‘We’ve been buffeted about on the sea and now all I want is three rooms, a hot bath and a decent meal. Is this hotel incapable of providing that for a weary traveller?’
The clerk’s response was lost in the general hubbub, but Lisette’s vociferous refusal to accept that the rooms were fully booked had caught the attention of a tall, dark-haired young man in evening dress, who had been strolling across the foyer. He was strikingly good-looking and there was something familiar about him. Nettie was certain that she had seen him before, but when she caught his eye and he smiled, she was suddenly back in the Gaiety Restaurant, and she remembered their unfortunate first meeting. He came towards them, holding out his hand to Percy.
‘Percy, old man. What the deuce are you doing down here in deepest Kent?’
‘Rufus. It’s good to see you.’ Percy grasped his friend’s hand and shook it enthusiastically.
Constance moved swiftly to stand beside Percy and she tugged at his sleeve. ‘Won’t you introduce us?’
‘I’m sorry. I was so pleased to see a familiar face that I forgot my manners. This is my friend Rufus Norwood. We met at Cambridge.’ He proceeded to make the necessary introductions and Rufus responded gallantly. He bowed over Lisette’s hand, acknowledging her with a devastating smile, and he charmed Constance, who blushed and fluttered her eyelashes. He won Robert’s approval by acknowledging him as an artist of some note, which Nettie thought at first was mere flattery, but Rufus added that a particular work was hanging in pride of place in the family home. Nettie could see that her father was pleased, and she herself was partly won over, but the memory of the rowdy party of young men and the arrogance that Rufus Norwood had shown at the restaurant in London, was hard to forget. When it came to Byron, the two young men shook hands and exchanged pleasantries, although there was reserve in Byron’s attitude. Rufus, however, did not appear to notice.
‘This is a splendid coincidence, Percy,’ Rufus said, smiling. ‘What are you doing here in Dover, anyway?’
‘Just travelling through.’ Percy shot an anxious glance at his mother. ‘We’re on our way to London.’
‘And this man says there are no rooms vacant,’ Lisette added, pouting. ‘You seem to have influence here, Mr Norwood. Perhaps you could put in a good word for us.’
‘I can do better than that, Condesa. You must be my guests. Norwood Hall is only a mile or two distant and you will be most welcome to stay with us.’
‘I couldn’t put you to so much trouble,’ Lisette said coyly. ‘But it is a very tempting offer. We’ve been travelling for days.’
‘Then that’s settled. I’ll send a messenger on ahead to warn my father that we have company, and I’ll have my carriage brought round to the front entrance.’ He strode off, beckoning to one of the servants.
Lisette beamed at Percy. ‘What a fortunate coincidence. He seems like a personable young man, and his family must be very wealthy.’
‘His father owns a brewery, Mama. Mr Norwood started as a worker in an oast house when he was a boy, and went on to own the brewery.’
‘Oh, well, I suppose nothing is perfect, but at least we’ll have a decent bed for the night.’ Lisette turned to the clerk behind the desk. ‘I wouldn’t recommend this hotel to anyone. You have not been helpful.’
The man flushed uncomfortably and Nettie took pity on him. ‘I’m sure you did your best,’ she said softly. ‘Thank you, anyway.’
He managed a weak smile and turned away to leaf through the hotel register.
Nettie moved closer to her father. ‘Isn’t this a wonderful coincidence, Pa? And to think that one of your paintings has found its way to Norwood Hall. I think that’s splendid.’
‘Indeed it is,’ Robert said, grinning. ‘Maybe I’ll have found another patron, Nettie. I’m looking forward to meeting Mr Norwood senior.’
Rufus had chosen to abandon the party and had hired horses from the hotel stables so that he and Percy could ride, enabling the occupants of the carriage to travel in relative comfort. When they left the well-lit streets they were plunged into darkness as the vehicle negotiated the rutted country lanes. Nettie was squashed between Constance and Lisette, with Byron and her father seated opposite. They lapsed into silence after the first few minutes, and the drumming of the horses’ hoofs and the rumbling of the wheels had a soporific effect. Robert was snoring gently and Constance had fallen asleep with her head on Nettie’s shoulder, but they awakened with a start as the carriage drew to a halt and the light of half a dozen flambeaux flooded through the mud-spattered windows.
Nettie gazed out of the open carriage door and could not help being impressed. Norwood Hall was not large by the standards of the castle in Spain, but even in the darkness it stood out as a sizeable country house. It was set in large grounds just a short distance from a group of oast houses, and the brewery, which they had passed a short time before. Although it was late, lights shone from the windows and puffs of steam billowed from grilles low down in the building. The smell of hops and malt hung heavily in the still night air.
Nettie was the first to alight, followed by Lisette, who stood very still, sniffing the air with a look of disgust.
‘What a revolting smell,’ she said, turn
ing up her nose. ‘I never could abide beer of any sort. How do these people live with that stench?’
‘It’s money, Mama,’ Byron said, chuckling. ‘That is the smell of success.’
Lisette’s reply was lost in a bluff greeting from their host. A middle-aged man, wearing a velvet smoking jacket and a matching cap with a long tassel, came hurrying towards them.
‘Maurice Norwood, how do you do?’ He seized Lisette’s hand and raised it to his lips. ‘My dear Condesa, Rufus arrived ahead of you and he told me of your dilemma. You must be exhausted after travelling so far. Do come in, all of you.’ He proffered his arm to Lisette, who accepted graciously and allowed him to lead her into the house.
Nettie followed them with Constance at her side.
‘Maybe Rufus’s father is a widower,’ she said, giggling. ‘The condesa would like that.’
‘Hush, they’ll hear you.’ Nettie controlled the urge to laugh with difficulty. Lisette seemed unable to resist the temptation to charm every eligible man she met; the portly brewer would stand little chance if she decided to use it to her advantage.
‘I’ll just make sure the horses are taken back to the hotel stables, Pa,’ Rufus said cheerfully. ‘We’ll talk later, Percy.’
‘The poor fellow looks done in, Rufus,’ his father said sternly. ‘There’ll be plenty of time on the morrow.’
‘We won’t impose on your hospitality for a moment longer than necessary.’ Lisette gave him her most winning smile and Nettie could see Maurice Norwood melting beneath her limpid gaze.
‘You may stay here for as long as you like, Condesa. You are more than welcome.’
Nettie smiled to herself as she waited for the pleasantries to cease. Robert had joined in vociferously and Constance was also having her say. The only one to remain silent was Byron and he, too, was looking around the large entrance hall with its wainscoted walls and urns spilling over with garden flowers. It was homely rather than grand, and the wide staircase with carved oak banisters was well worn and had been polished to a glowing patina by brigades of housemaids for a century or more. It was the house of a country squire, as opposed to being the property of landed gentry, but it had a charm all of its own, and Nettie felt instantly at home despite the exhaustion that was threatening to overcome her.
The pleasantries over, the tired party were led into a large parlour where, despite the warmth of the summer evening, a log fire spat and sizzled as the sap oozed into the flames. A simple cold collation has been laid out on a table by the window, and two golden Labradors sat guard, drooling and sniffing the air.
‘Out, boys,’ Maurice said firmly, and the dogs obeyed reluctantly. ‘Your luggage has been taken to your rooms, and you’ll be shown to them as soon as you’ve taken some light refreshment. Unless, of course, you would like to retire straight away. You’ll find everything waiting for you.’
Lisette clasped her hands together. ‘You’re too kind, Mr Norwood, I hope your wife won’t object to us turning up uninvited.’
Nettie and Constance exchanged wry smiles, but Maurice Norwood did not seem to realise that he was being quizzed about his marital status.
He beamed at Lisette. ‘Mrs Norwood goes to bed early, but she will be delighted to meet you in the morning. You will excuse me if I retire also. I rise at dawn and do a full day’s work at the brewery. We’re country people, and we keep country hours.’
‘We appreciate your hospitality, sir,’ Robert said hastily. ‘And I understand from your son that you own a painting of mine.’
‘Not now, Pa,’ Nettie whispered. ‘Let the poor man go to his bed.’
‘Why yes,’ Maurice puffed out his chest, which together with his portly belly was threatening to pop the buttons on his waistcoat. ‘You will see it tomorrow, sir. It hangs in pride of place over the mantelshelf in our drawing room. I am quite an art lover.’ He bowed out of the room, leaving them to fall on the food.
The brass clock on the mantelshelf struck midnight and Lisette yawned and rose gracefully from her seat. ‘I’m exhausted. It’s time I was in bed.’
Percy leaned over to ring the bell for the servant. ‘I’m going to wait up for Rufus. We’ve a lot to catch up on.’
‘I’m going to my room.’ Constance dabbed her lips on a table napkin. ‘To sleep in a proper bed again will be delightful. I’ll swear there were bed bugs in that hotel in Calais.’
‘It cost me nearly all the money I had,’ Lisette said crossly.
The door opened and a maid rushed in, bobbing a curtsey. ‘You rang, my lady?’
Lisette smiled. ‘How charming. Yes, you may show me to my room.’
‘And me,’ Constance said, leaping to her feet. ‘Come on, Nettie. You look worn out, and dark shadows beneath the eyes are not becoming.’
Nettie stood up. ‘You’re right, of course. I am tired. I’ll see you all at breakfast, but we’ll need to have a serious talk about what to do next. We can’t stay here for ever.’
Chapter Fourteen
Robert stood in front of the ornately carved mantelshelf, gazing up at the painting of a young girl in an idyllic rural setting. ‘You were only eleven then, Nettie,’ he said proudly.
‘I do remember sitting for it, Pa. But we were living in Plaistow and I don’t think we ever ventured out of the city.’
Robert smiled benevolently. ‘I used my imagination, Nettie. A background of grimy streets and ragged children would not have had the same appeal.’
Maurice shook his head. ‘Poor child. You only have to look out of the window to see what you’ve missed. I grew up in a cottage not a stone’s throw from the brewery. I count myself very fortunate to have had so much freedom.’
‘We can’t all reside in the country,’ Robert said sharply. ‘I had to make a living and London was the best place to sell my work. Where, as a matter of interest, did you purchase this one?’
‘It weren’t in London, that’s for certain. I think I got it in a small gallery in Dover, as far as I can recall. I just had to have it.’ He turned to Nettie, eyeing her closely. ‘You’ve grown into quite a beauty, but you were obviously a charming child. I always wanted to have a little girl to make a fuss of, but our little angel was with us for a short time only. A long time after Rufus was born my wife gave birth to a baby girl, but she survived only a few hours …’
‘Maurice.’ A shrill voice behind them made all three turn round to look at the small, plump woman who had burst into the dining room. Her cheeks were stained scarlet and her lips had disappeared into a thin slit. She might once have been considered pretty, but years of discontent had soured her expression and furrowed her brow. ‘Who are these people? There are strangers in the parlour, too.’
‘You were asleep when they arrived, my little dumpling, and I didn’t like to wake you so early this morning.’ Maurice hurried towards her, holding out his hands, but she brushed them aside.
‘You haven’t answered my question. Are they a travelling theatrical group? The woman said she is a condesa, whatever that means.’
‘She is a Spanish noblewoman, Jane, my love,’ Maurice said hastily. ‘They needed shelter for the night and Rufus brought them here. Quite right, too.’ He laid a tentative hand on her arm. ‘Come and meet Robert. Mr Carroll is the artist who painted this picture, and this young lady is his daughter, Nettie. She is the little girl in the painting. If our baby girl had lived I like to think that she would have looked like that.’
‘I don’t want strangers to know of our personal tragedy,’ Jane said in a low voice. ‘There isn’t a day goes by when I don’t think of our little daughter.’
‘I’m sorry, my dear. It was thoughtless of me.’ Maurice took a brightly coloured paisley handkerchief from his breast pocket and blew his nose. ‘Anyway, our little jewel is among the angels now.’
‘We are not a guesthouse,’ Jane said, frowning. ‘We know nothing of these people.’
Maurice turned to Robert with an apologetic smile. ‘My wife is very forthright.’
/> ‘At least she is honest,’ Robert said mildly. ‘I’m sorry if we have put you out, ma’am.’
‘Thank you for your hospitality,’ Nettie added. ‘We’ll be leaving as soon as possible’
‘Now, now, don’t be hasty.’ Maurice shot a warning look at his wife. ‘We don’t often get visitors, least of all a titled personage.’
‘We are not a charity, Maurice. People like that seldom pay their way. You’ve been in business long enough to know how things are.’
Nettie could see that Mrs Norwood was in no mood to compromise. ‘We should go now, Pa.’
‘Jane.’ Maurice eyed his wife sternly. ‘This is not the way we treat guests.’
She tossed her head. ‘They weren’t invited, Maury. We don’t know who they are.’
Maurice slipped his arm around his wife’s ample waist. ‘The condesa is Percy’s mother – you remember Percy, don’t you? Charming chap, shared our son’s room in the halls of residence for a while.’
‘Yes, I suppose so,’ Jane said grudgingly. ‘But don’t think this is a dosshouse, Mr Carroll. I know what you artistic people are like.’
‘I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean, ma’am.’ Robert shot a sideways glance at Nettie, which she interpreted as a cry for help.
‘You’ve been more than kind, Mrs Norwood,’ Nettie said quickly. ‘You have a beautiful home and I quite understand your reservations. We are financially embarrassed at the moment, but perhaps there is something we can do to pay for our bed and board?’
Maurice threw up his hands. ‘No, certainly not. I never heard of such a thing.’
Jane put her head on one side, her eyes darting from one to the other. She tucked a stray lock of mousy brown hair under her lace cap. ‘Are you saying that you need money?’
‘No, ma’am, of course not.’ Robert glared at Nettie, shaking his head.
‘I think we need to be honest, Pa.’ Nettie looked from Maurice’s flushed countenance to his wife’s pale-lipped scowl. ‘We’re heading home to London and we’ve travelled all the way from Spain. It’s been a long journey and the countess has had to sell her jewels to pay our fares. We’re running out of money, but we are all ready and willing to work.’