Nobody’s Darling

by Nobody’s Darling (retail) (epub)

  ‘Well, I’d rather have had the fourpence,’ grumbled Lenny, ‘’cause them gloves are no good at all. They’re old and stiff, and I don’t want them.’

  ‘I’ll have ’em!’ Ralph cried.

  Lizzie was furious. ‘Yer ungrateful little bugger. We’ve all gone without so you could have them gloves, and now yer say yer don’t want ’em? You’d best not let yer dad hear yer say that, my lad.’

  ‘Well, I don’t want ’em. If I can’t have a proper pair, I’d rather not have any at all!’ He was defiant. ‘I never asked for the rotten things in the first place.’ He made a hard fist and shook it at her. ‘I don’t need them anyway, ’cause I could knock Roy Marner from one end of the road to the other if I wanted.’

  ‘I’ll tell yer what yer do want,’ Lizzie retorted furiously, ‘and that’s the flat of me hand on yer arse.’ She never could abide braggery. ‘Get off to the scullery and wash yerself.’

  ‘Aw, Mam, I’m only playing out. Why do I have to get washed?’

  ‘Because I say so.’

  ‘You’re allus picking on me,’ he moaned, skulking away from the table and reluctantly heading for the scullery.

  ‘Is that so?’ Lizzie was used to his pathetic little games and she was having nothing of it. ‘If yer don’t want picking on, yer shouldn’t behave like a bone-head.’ At this the twins creased up laughing. But they soon sobered up when Lizzie gave them one of her fiercest glances. She returned her attention to Lenny. ‘And mind yer wash behind yer ears,’ she said loudly, ‘else I’ll have ter take a scrubbing brush and do the job meself.’

  ‘All right, Mam,’ he answered sweetly. He knew he’d gone too far, but he wasn’t a bit repentant. In fact, even while Lizzie was still talking, he hid behind the door to stretch out his tongue, at the same time waggling his finger at either side of his head to make a demon face. ‘One of these days I’ll show you all,’ he muttered bitterly. ‘Then you’ll laugh on the other side of your faces!’

  Chapter Six

  ‘I’m afraid something will go horribly wrong.’ Ruby climbed into the perfumed bath-water while Cicely busied herself laying out the towels and silken underwear. ‘When will you tell your father?’ That was the moment she dreaded more than anything.

  ‘Oh, there’s time enough,’ Cicely said with a little chuckle. ‘I’ve a good mind not to tell him though,’ she said mischievously.

  ‘What do you mean?’ Ruby slithered deeper into the water and sighed aloud as the smooth rich lather bathed her nakedness. ‘You must tell him. But I know he won’t allow it,’ she murmured. ‘Then all this will be for nothing.’ Suddenly she was upright in the water and staring at Cicely with shocked eyes. ‘Maureen said I would lose my job.’ She was horrified because only yesterday Cicely had told her that, after the holiday, she was being upgraded to lady’s maid. ‘What if Maureen’s right? Oh, Cicely, how could I ever go back and tell my mam that I’d lost my job? And worse… how could I tell her why? She’d never forgive me if she knew what I was up to right now.’ When a feeling of guilt overwhelmed her, she hung her head. ‘Happen we should forget the whole idea. Happen I should get dressed and help you get ready for this evening.’ Now, at this late hour, when soon it would be too late to turn back, Ruby was beginning to have second thoughts.

  ‘You’ll do no such thing,’ Cicely told her. ‘I’ve been looking forward to this evening for weeks. Oh, don’t worry, it will be all right.’ She knelt down by the bath and looked into Ruby’s anxious eyes. ‘I wouldn’t enjoy it at all if you weren’t there,’ she confided. ‘And anyway, why shouldn’t you be there? You’re as good as any of us, Ruby Miller, and don’t you ever forget that.’

  ‘Aw, Cicely, I don’t belong,’ she protested. ‘You’re a lady and I’m a servant. According to my mam, the two are like oil and water. They make a bad mix, that’s what she says, and I’m beginning to think she’s right.’

  Cicely was adamant. ‘Much as I believe your mother is a wise and wonderful woman, I have to disagree… at least where you and I are concerned.’ She clambered to her feet. ‘If I had a sister, I’d want her to be exactly like you,’ she said fondly. And then she said something that was astonishing to Ruby. ‘What would you say if I told you my great-great-grandfather was a footman in one of the big houses along Park Street?’

  Ruby was shocked. ‘Honestly?’ She would never have dreamed it in a million years. ‘Who would have thought it? Your great-great-grandfather – a footman.’ She was wide-eyed and delighted as she smoothed the soap over her arms and shoulders ‘Well, I never!’ she chuckled. ‘Well, I never!’

  Cicely was satisfied that her little ploy had made Ruby think hard. She hadn’t exactly lied, nor had she told the truth. She had merely implied that one of her relations had been a footman in order to put her and Ruby on a common level. In fact, the Bankses family came from a long line of wealthy aristocrats, and if her father knew what she had just told Ruby, his hair would have turned snow white on the spot. ‘So you see,’ Cicely said coyly, ‘deep down we’re the same, only somewhere along the way Fortune smiled on me. It could so easily have been you living in a big house and I could have been the maid.’ She gathered Ruby’s clothes from the chair and placing them over her arm, crossed to the door, reminding her with a chuckle, ‘It’s too late to change your mind, Ruby Miller. Miss Armitage will be here any minute to dress your hair, and soon after that the guests will be arriving.’ She knew the reason for Ruby’s anxiety, and if truth were told, she also was concerned about her father’s reaction to this little ‘arrangement’ between her and Ruby. However, on occasions when it was called for, Jeffrey Banks’s daughter could be just as stubborn as her father. This was such an occasion. There was fighting spirit in her voice as she told Ruby now, ‘I’m going down to check the caterers. Then I shall see my father.’ She gave a reassuring little wink. ‘Don’t you worry. I’ll have him eating out of my hand in no time.’

  ‘You won’t be long, will you?’ Ruby was convinced that within the hour she would be leaving this house bag and baggage never to set foot over its threshold again.

  ‘Trust me.’

  ‘I do.’

  ‘Good girl. When you’ve bathed, you’ll find some new undergarments on the bed.’

  Ruby watched the door close. ‘What have I got myself into?’ she thought forlornly, looking up at the ceiling as though she might see the answer there. She thought of how the master would react when his daughter told him that she had invited a servant to his Christmas Eve party. The thought of father and daughter face to face because of her, sent shivers down her spine. Not for one minute did Ruby believe the master would give his approval; which was why Cicely had toyed with the idea of not telling him….’

  ‘We’ll let him find out on the evening,’ she’d told Ruby. ‘I know he won’t cause a fuss in front of everybody.’

  But Ruby had been adamant. ‘You must ask his permission,’ she’d insisted, ‘or we’ll have to forget it.’

  The thought of being exposed in front of everyone was like a nightmare. Fancy the master recognising her, dressed in a fancy gown and hob-nobbing with his guests! Like as not he would send her packing there and then, in front of everybody. No, he had to be told. That way, she might escape a worse punishment.

  Bearing the look of a young woman with a purpose, Cicely made straight for the dining-room where she satisfied herself that the table was laid with the very best china and that everything was as it should be. The round-faced young woman was putting the last touches to the flower arrangements. ‘That looks wonderful,’ Cicely said with approval. The woman glowed pink with pride. ‘Thank you, ma’am,’ she said gratefully, and Cicely left her to it.

  Going across the main hall to the inner passage, she went swiftly down the narrow staircase that led to the kitchen. The noise of bustle and activity came to her as she approached the half-open door. Sweeping into the kitchen, Cicely glanced around. There was always a feeling of great comfort and warmth in this big old kitchen; a sprawlin
g room with a cheery glow emanating from its huge range whose flames were reflected in the batteries of iron and copper saucepans, frying-pans, skillets, skimmers and sieves hanging from the ceiling or lining shelves.

  The two confident females flitting about the range clutching steaming cooking pots turned in unison to stare at her, each one dipping ever so slightly in a curtsey. Then, when Cicely quickly moved away, nervous that her presence might cause them to drop the cooking pots, they went about their duties all the more vigorously. These two, and the young woman in the dining-room, were temporary staff, employed for the occasion. The pantry door was half-open, its many shelves groaning beneath the weight of prepared food, all ready to be put into the dumb waiter and sent up to the dining-room; there was fresh pink fish, dainty slices of beef, pork and ham, there was an enormous fowl on an oblong, flower-patterned plate and a generous selection of mouthwatering desserts, all beautifully dressed and set out in fine china dishes.

  Sensing someone behind her, Cook glanced round, giving a small cry when she saw that it was the mistress of the house. Her round face was bright pink, and she looked unusually flustered. ‘Good heavens!’ she exclaimed with the brightest smile, although she secretly believed that Cicely was far too young and inexperienced to be in charge of such a fine house as this, ‘I didn’t hear you come in, Miss,’ she explained. Her face dropped as she went on, ‘There’s nothing wrong, is there?’

  ‘Of course not,’ Cicely said. ‘I’m just making certain you have everything you need?’

  ‘Oh, yes, I have. That I have.’ She waved her arm to encompass the entire room. ‘You can see for yourself, everything’s fine,’ she boasted, swelling with pleasure when Cicely told her how clever she was to have secured the same excellent help that had served them so well last Christmas. ‘Well, seeing as these three came with first-class references, and seeing as, like you say, they did a good job last year, I writ their addresses down in my little book,’ she replied grandly. Then a frown crossed her face. ‘Sadly, there are any number of first-class servants to be had, all out of work and glad of a day’s pay.’

  Cicely lowered her voice so as not to be heard. ‘Since I’ve taken Ruby as lady’s maid, you’ll be needing a replacement for her. I had thought to leave it until the New Year, but, if you think it advisable we can deal with the matter sooner?’ She glanced around. ‘Perhaps one of these three ladies here tonight might be suitable, do you think?’

  ‘Well, yes.’ Cook positively beamed. ‘To my way of thinking, you wouldn’t do better than the fair-haired lass over there.’ She flicked her eyes towards the smaller of the two women carefully stirring the contents of a cooking pot. Somehow, she had taken a liking to that one. ‘They’re all hard workers,’ she confessed, ‘but that little miss has an instinct, if you know what I mean? She don’t need telling what to do every two minutes.’

  ‘Good. Then mark her in your little book,’ Cicely told her, ‘And we’ll talk about it on your return the day after tomorrow.’

  ‘Oh, dear!’ Cook nervously bit her bottom lip. ‘I do feel bad, leaving the house on Christmas Eve of all days.’

  ‘Nonsense!’ Cicely remarked.

  ‘And you don’t mind me taking the wretched girl with me?’

  ‘You know I don’t. In fact, I think it’s a very generous idea, especially when the poor thing has no family of her own.’

  ‘Thank you, miss,’ she said gratefully. ‘And to be honest, I am looking forward to it, and that’s the truth.’

  ‘Then it’s settled. You can go whenever you’re ready and I’ll see you on your return.’

  In a hurry now, Cicely went quickly from the kitchen and on up to the library. The sooner she faced her father, the better.

  Jeffrey Banks sprang out of his chair like the gentleman he was. ‘Cicely, my dear,’ he remarked. ‘Come in. Sit down.’ When she was seated in the barrel-chair on one side of his desk, he rounded it and resumed his own position in the comfortable red leather armchair. Facing her with a gleam of pleasure in his sharp eyes, he rested his hands on the desk. ‘Well, young lady,’ he said, still beaming up at her with loving eyes, ‘I trust everything’s in order?’

  ‘Of course, and why shouldn’t it be?’ Cicely leaned forward, perching on the edge of her chair and returning his smile with a confidence that belied her anxiety. She knew he didn’t know, and when she imparted the real nature of her errand to him, there would likely be an explosion. Well, thank goodness he was in a buoyant and receptive mood, she thought hopefully.

  ‘No reason, my dear,’ he assured her. ‘I always panic immediately before the guests arrive. You should know that by now.’ Taking hold of the chain which was draped over his waistcoat, he tugged at it until the round silver watch sprang from his pocket and fell into his palm. ‘It’s fifteen minutes to six o’clock. They’ll be here within the hour.’

  ‘I don’t think so,’ she reminded him. ‘The invitation was for eight o’clock, and it would be bad manners on the part of the guests to arrive before then.’

  ‘Ah!’ He tucked his thumbs into his waistcoat pocket, leaned back in his chair and laughed out loud. ‘That’s what you say every year, and there are still those who turn up an hour before time.’

  ‘Only those who don’t know better.’

  ‘Ah, but they do know that I keep only the finest brandy in my cellar. The reason they arrive early is to fire their souls ahead of the others.’ He smiled. ‘Connoisseurs every one.’ He beamed at her. ‘Do you know, Cicely, I find myself looking forward to this evening.’ He lifted his chin, pursed his mouth and peered at her. ‘Hmh! Something tells me it will be an immensely enjoyable evening.’ He waited for a like response from his daughter, then, when it wasn’t forthcoming, felt a little foolish. He studied her hard for a moment, before asking with a concerned voice, ‘Are you all right, young lady?’

  ‘What makes you ask?’

  ‘You seem…’ He shook his head slowly, narrowed his eyes and concentrated on her face, his quick mind searching for the right word. ‘I don’t know – a little too quiet, perhaps?’ He sat forward in his chair, his fists clenched on the desk as he asked in a subdued voice, ‘There aren’t any problems, are there?’

  ‘No. There are no problems, Father. I’ve just come from downstairs now, and I can assure you, your guests will have the best of everything. I’m quite certain that Cook will outshine herself. She deserves the day off tomorrow, and I know she’s bound to return in a better mood for the visit to her sister.’ As was her duty, Cicely always informed her father as to every move that was made in the house. ‘Did I tell you she’s taking the scullery maid with her?’

  He nodded. ‘Cook is hard outside and toffee inside,’ he said good-naturedly. ‘That poor wretched girl can’t be good company over the holidays. And what about you?’

  ‘Me?’

  ‘Yes. No doubt you, like Cook, will outshine yourself? Or should I say outshine Teresa Arnold?’ he added with a sly little look.

  Cicely smiled demurely. Teresa Arnold was very young, but her reputation went before her. Even the tradesmen had told Cook how, by all accounts, Oliver Arnold’s eldest daughter cost him a fortune in fine clothes and fast horses. What was more, it was said that she was growing impatient to wear the mantle of lady of the house. On Cicely’s last visit to the milliner, she herself had overheard how Teresa Arnold was not only extravagant but ‘arrogant’, ‘bold’, ‘petulant’, and ‘quite a stranger to good manners and patience’. Cicely answered her father’s remark with tact. ‘I shall do my very best to please you, Father,’ she said, ‘Miss Armitage should be here at any moment, and no doubt she will see that I am meticulously turned out as usual.’

  ‘So it’s all running smoothly?’

  She smiled demurely. ‘Yes, Father. It’s all running smoothly.’

  ‘That’s what I like to hear. Of course, you’ve never let me down yet.’ He knew full well that she was a first-class hostess and nothing would be left to chance. ‘All the same, what with
all of your duties and everything to oversee, I do think you were wise to avail yourself of young Ruby’s services this evening.’

  ‘I meant to tell you – as from today, Ruby is employed as lady’s maid.’

  ‘Wonderful, my dear.’ His head nodded up and down in fervent agreement. ‘In fact, I’m delighted. You must have been the only young lady of consequence in the whole of Lancashire who was without a personal maid.’

  ‘Ruby’s duties will be more of a companionable nature, I think, Father. I shall always prefer to dress myself, thank you. If I was incapacitated, the situation might be different, but as it is I’m quite capable of brushing my own hair and choosing which shoes I wear with which outfit. Although on special occasions, such as this evening, I am more than happy to call on the admirable skills of Miss Armitage,’ she told him firmly.

  ‘You’re stubborn, that’s all. Just as you’re stubborn about other matters which concern me.’

  ‘And I don’t think I need to ask what these other matters are?’ she said wryly.

  ‘You know well enough,’ he replied in an injured tone. ‘Oh, Cicely! I do wish you would think about my earlier suggestion.’

  ‘Which was?’ As if she didn’t know.

  ‘You know very well what I’m referring to,’ he said wearily. ‘It’s all to do with your status, my dear. I still heartily believe you are wrong to take on the responsibility of housekeeper in addition to everything else.’

  ‘Have you cause to complain?’

  ‘Not at all, but…’

  ‘No “buts”, Father. I could never idle away my time while another woman kept your house. How many times must I stress that I love being responsible for the running of this house? Please don’t confuse me with Teresa Arnold, who by all accounts would have half the population waiting on her if she had her way. Added to which, her father is one of the wealthiest men in the north-west.’

  ‘We have more than enough money for our needs,’ her father retaliated. ‘We may not be in quite the same league as the eloquent Oliver Arnold, but we are very well-off, my dear.’