Nobody’s Darling

by Nobody’s Darling (retail) (epub)

  Luke made no attempt to check it. Instead he continued to watch the men below, asking in a quiet meaningful voice, ‘Do I need to check it?’

  ‘No, sir. You don’t,’ the fellow replied proudly. ‘I’ve followed your instructions to the letter. It’s all set out exactly as you wanted it.’

  ‘And the invoices?’

  ‘One set manufactured and the others kept safe, just as you said.’

  ‘Get them.’ He turned then, his greedy eyes following the fellow’s every move. He saw Marshall go to the far wall where he dipped his hand into a crevice. Then he watched while the fellow hurried to the cabinet and unlocked the bottom drawer. Furtively, he grasped a small blue file and came forward with it. ‘It’s all here,’ he said in an urgent whisper, handing it over.

  ‘There’s no need to whisper, my good man,’ Luke told him with a patronising smile. ‘We can’t be overheard up here. Can we?’ he added, quickly looking round.

  ‘No, sir.’

  ‘Good.’ He came away from the window and sat himself at the desk, leaving the other fellow to stand on the opposite side, his mouth opening and shutting like a fish out of water. He was thirsty. He was always thirsty when Luke Arnold came into the foundry. Fear made a body thirsty.

  Luke went through every note and every figure. It was exactly as he had instructed. ‘You’ve done well,’ he remarked, glancing up.

  ‘Oh, you’ll find that I’m a man to be trusted,’ the other fellow declared with a sideways nod of his head.

  ‘But then I should, shouldn’t I?’ Luke told him with a frown. ‘After all, I pay you well enough, wouldn’t you say?’

  ‘Oh, yes indeed, sir! Yes, you do, and that’s a fact. You’re most generous, that you are.’

  Luke looked him up and down, slowly nodding. Presently he said, ‘You do realise what would happen if this ever got out?’

  ‘I do.’

  ‘I could never admit to being involved. It would be your word against mine, and I can afford the very best lawyers.’

  ‘Yes, sir. But it wouldn’t get out.’

  ‘At best you would be put away for years.’

  ‘Yes, Mr Arnold, sir.’

  ‘At worst, I would have you murdered.’

  The fellow gulped and began to tremble. ‘There’s no one will ever know what goes on, you’ve got my word on it.’

  ‘Good fellow.’ Snatching a batch of invoices from the file, Luke perused them once more then ripped them from top to bottom. There was a small stove in the office and the fellow ran towards it, lifting the top and standing back while Luke rammed the papers deep into the flames. ‘You do understand what I’ve just been saying to you?’ he asked, staring into the flames.

  ‘Oh, I understand well enough.’

  ‘Then I’ll leave you.’ He strode across the room. ‘I think it might be wise if I showed my face to the gangers, don’t you?’

  ‘Whatever you say, sir.’

  ‘You’re a good man, Marshall.’

  ‘Thank you, Mr Arnold, sir.’

  Luke bestowed on him a smile before stepping outside and leaving the fellow to close the door behind him. As he travelled along the gangway, he kept his handkerchief to his nose. The heat was intense, and the fumes seemed to reach right inside his head. He wondered how people could work in such distressing conditions. Still, he wouldn’t stay. Just long enough to display his ‘interest’ in what was going on. After the men had caught sight of him, he would be on his way.

  There was another duty to perform yet, and its name was Cicely. In the process he hoped to catch more than a glimpse of Ruby. The thought made him quicken his steps. It didn’t occur to him that he might be risking his life by walking along this recently installed structure. All he could think of was Ruby. And what he wondered was how long it might be before he could entice her into his bed.

  * * *

  Ruby had been sitting in the chair, her dark head bent and her quick fingers running the needle and thread through the brim of Cicely’s favourite hat – an exquisite turquoise creation with narrow ribbons and pert little feathers. Ruby had mended it so many times that given the materials, she could have made an exact replica.

  Every now and then she glanced up, sighing aloud when Cicely went to the drawing-room window for the umpteenth time, her anxious eyes searching the path to the front door. ‘There’s no sign of him, Ruby,’ she moaned. ‘He said he was coming to see me today.’ She glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece. It was almost ten minutes past five. ‘Five o’clock, he said. He’s late. Perhaps he’s not coming after all?’ She shifted her gaze to Ruby. ‘He wouldn’t let me down, would he?’

  ‘Who knows?’ she replied, shrugging her shoulders and wishing Cicely had never set eyes on him. Since the Christmas Party three months ago, the obnoxious Luke Arnold had been a regular visitor to this house. Ruby knew what he was up to, but Cicely could see no wrong in him. In fact, she spent her days just waiting for his visits. If he allowed her a moment of his time Cicely was elated, and if he chose not to visit, she sank into a deep depression. Cicely’s once mellow and gentle nature had changed so much that there were times when she was like a different person. But Ruby made allowances because she knew how cleverly Luke had woven his spell round her. She still hoped it would be only a matter of time before he made that one mistake which would show him in his true light. ‘Anyway, if he did let you down, who would care?’ she said crossly.

  ‘I would care.’ Cicely rounded on her. ‘I know you don’t like him, Ruby, but I think you should remember that while he is here, Luke is a guest in this house. He’s a good man, and I respect him. Please have the decency to do the same.’

  ‘If you say so.’

  ‘I do.’ Turning away, Cicely pressed her face close to the window, watching and waiting. Still there was no sign of him.

  It was a moment before she swung round to demand, ‘Why do you hate him so?’ Irate because he had not yet arrived, she turned her anger on Ruby. ‘He’s always behaved like the perfect gentleman. Besides, he kept his promise, and he has never spoken one word to anyone about our little deceit at the party. I think that should tell you what an honourable man he is.’

  Ruby kept her attention on her work. Without looking up, she replied, ‘You’re wrong, Miss Cicely.’ These past weeks, Cicely had been so distant and aloof, that Ruby felt obliged to address her in a proper manner. ‘If you don’t mind me saying so, Luke Arnold is not a good man. Nor is he honourable.’

  ‘I do mind, and to be perfectly honest, I’m beginning to think you might be jealous.’

  Ruby was horrified. ‘Jealous?’ She leaned back in her chair and stared up at Cicely with shocked eyes. ‘Oh! Surely you can’t think that?’

  ‘What am I to think then?’ Cicely insisted. ‘I’ve seen the way you linger when he enters the room, and I’ve seen the way he looks at you… probably wondering why you’re taking such an interest in him.’

  Ruby was on her feet then, eyes ablaze as she explained, ‘If I linger, it’s because I know he means to hurt you. And if he looks at me, it’s only because he knows I’m onto him.’

  ‘Utter and absolute nonsense! I’ve heard all your arguments… about Luke wanting to get at the foundry through me. You couldn’t be more wrong. I’ve already asked him, and he emphatically denies it. It’s me he wants. I believe him, so why can’t you?’ She paused, regarding Ruby with angry glittering eyes. ‘Or don’t you think a man would want me for myself?’

  Ruby was mortified. ‘Oh of course a man would want you for yourself, Miss Cicely. Any man would think himself lucky to have you for his wife.’ She shook her head. There were tears in her eyes. ‘But not him. Not Luke Arnold. He’s bad. Like I said before, his own sister told me things about him. Even she called him a scoundrel. She said that he was only using you to get his hands on your father’s foundry.’ Cicely’s face stiffened and Ruby feared she might have gone too far. ‘I’m sorry,’ she apologised. ‘Happen I should mind my own business. But I love you,
and I don’t want to see you hurt.’

  ‘If anyone is hurting me, Ruby, it’s you.’ Cicely folded her dainty hands across her narrow waist and in a low trembling voice she told Ruby, ‘You are never again to mention his name. I forbid it.’ Then she said something that startled Ruby. ‘Lately I’ve begun to wonder if I made a mistake in promoting you as my personal maid. Perhaps it might be better for you to return to your work below stairs.’

  ‘Is that what you really want, Miss Cicely?’ Ruby asked in a shaking voice. She had been so happy in her new post. No Cook to order her about. No dirty fire-grates to empty, or great heavy rugs to shake. Her hands had become soft and white, and her ‘uniform’ was a pretty blue dress with white patterned lace at the collar and cuffs. She had become accustomed to having nice things about her. Fine clothes to sew and press, dainty shoes to polish, and more precious than all of that, she’d had Cicely as a companion.

  There was something else too. Since becoming a lady’s maid, Ruby had learned so much about how the gentry behaved. Such knowledge would carry her far in the future. Even her mam had complained that her daughter was ‘beginning to talk like the bloody gentry!’ Cicely had given no answer to Ruby’s tremulously delivered question, so she softly rephrased it. ‘Are you saying I must report to Cook, Miss Cicely?’ She crossed her fingers behind her back, holding her breath, while Cicely continued to stare at her. Her mam had warned her all too often that her impulsive tongue would get her into trouble, and it looked as though she had been right.

  At the sight of Ruby’s deep blue eyes looking up at her, and knowing what a special friend she had been, Cicely felt a slight regret at her harsh words. She visibly relaxed. ‘We shall see,’ she said in a warmer voice. She smiled, instantly putting Ruby at ease. ‘I know you mean well,’ she admitted, ‘but you are wrong about him, Ruby.’ She lowered her gaze and Ruby was surprised to see her blushing. ‘He has great affection for me.’

  ‘And do you feel the same for him?’ Ruby boldly put the question, but in her heart she already feared the answer.

  ‘Have you forgotten so quickly?’ Cicely sharply reminded her. ‘I meant what I said, Ruby. From today, you are forbidden to murmur his name in this house.’ She turned away, going to the window where she resumed her vigil. In a voice so low that Ruby could scarcely hear her, she confessed, ‘I think I love him with all my heart.’

  The silence that followed was charged with emotion. Saddened that Luke had not come to see her as promised, Cicely closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against the window.

  Realising that nothing she could say would change Cicely’s misguided love for a man who would use her without mercy, Ruby remained silent though in her heart she was crying. Cicely was so good. She was such a trusting and affectionate creature. For someone as devious as Luke Arnold, she was an easy conquest. All manner of things ran through Ruby’s mind in that moment. Perhaps it would be better if she returned to the kitchen where she wouldn’t see him destroying the person she loved? But no. Dear God, no! It would be tantamount to throwing Cicely into the lion’s den. Ruby realised she would never rest, down there, away from her beloved Cicely. At least if she stayed here, she could keep a proper eye on her.

  What then? What else could she do to protect someone who wouldn’t protect herself? She had tried to warn Cicely, but her words had fallen on deaf ears. She had even waylaid Luke Arnold and accused him of setting out to destroy Cicely’s life. All he did was laugh. ‘If you want me to be nicer to her, then you will have to be nicer to me,’ he told her. Ruby knew well enough what he meant. And she loathed him all the more.

  As a last resort, she had even toyed with the idea of asking to see the master when she would repeat exactly what Teresa Arnold had told her. What was more, she might even reveal something to him that she had kept from Cicely in order to spare her any anxiety. Ruby had not yet described how Luke had almost forced himself on her that night, and on many occasions since when he had come upon her at the house. Perhaps if she told the master all of these things he would know what to do.

  But then Ruby recalled how delighted Jeffrey Banks appeared to be with regard to Cicely’s blossoming courtship. There was no doubt that he craved a grandson and heir, and perhaps it was that which blinded him to Luke’s treacherous character. Luke Arnold had charmed them both, and if Ruby was to speak out to the master, she might easily find herself sent packing altogether, and then how could she keep an eye on Cicely?

  Suddenly there was a tap on the door and Cicely jerked round. ‘Come in,’ she called excitedly, her small fists clenching and unclenching. ‘He’s here, I know it,’ she muttered glancing at Ruby. ‘I told you he wouldn’t let me down.’

  The door opened and a small fair-haired woman stepped inside. She had recently been hired to take Ruby’s place below stairs, and Cook had reported sullenly that the new recruit was ‘passable’. Looking directly at her mistress, the maid said in a firm clear voice, ‘You have a visitor, Ma’am… a Mr Arnold.’

  Rushing forward, Cicely told her, ‘Show him in.’ As the maid prepared to turn away, she reprimanded her, ‘In future you will not stand on ceremony with regard to Mr Arnold. He’s to be shown in without delay. Do you understand.’

  Going red in the face and bowing from the neck, the woman uttered a hasty, ‘Yes, ma’am,’ and then was sent on her way. Ruby felt for her because she realised how the poor thing would be wondering whether she would be dismissed before the day was out. Later Ruby would tell her not to worry because Miss Cicely’s bark was worse than her bite.

  In a moment Luke Arnold swept in through the door, his arms outstretched in greeting and his smile as devastating as ever. ‘Cicely! How charming you look,’ he purred. And she blushed a soft shade of pink.

  ‘I was afraid you might have forgotten me,’ she said, her face uplifted in a dazzling smile and her blue eyes shining.

  ‘Forget you, my dear?!’ He looked suitably taken aback. ‘Never!’ He lifted her small white hand and placed his lips over her slender fingers, knowing she would believe anything he chose to tell her.

  When Cicely’s gaze went beyond him to the far end of the room, he swung round and found himself staring straight into Ruby’s condemning eyes. ‘Well, well! The maid who fancies herself as a lady!’ he exclaimed in a burst of laughter. He might have gone on but that would have been foolish because to utter one more word would have told Cicely far too much about the way he really felt towards Ruby.

  ‘Leave us.’ Cicely’s voice was unusually sharp as she turned on Ruby.

  Without delay, she gathered the pieces of the hat she had been working on and left the room. She didn’t look back. If she had done so, she would have seen Luke looking questioningly at Cicely. When the door was closed, he remarked, ‘That was a little abrupt, my dear. I understood that you saw Ruby as your dearest friend?’

  She chose not to remark on this observation, because it was hurtful to her. Ruby was very special, and she was already regretting the harshness with which she’d addressed her. Yet she did not see it as her fault. If only Ruby would stop trying to damn Luke in her eyes, she would have forgiven her anything. As it was, she was still a little cross. ‘Did I misunderstand your message?’ she asked him, deliberately changing the subject. ‘I was certain you said five o’clock.’ She checked the time by the mantelpiece clock. It was now twenty minutes past the hour.

  ‘No, you didn’t misunderstand,’ he confirmed. ‘But I had to oversee a delivery at the foundry. All day long I’ve been there, since six o’clock this morning, and I might tell you, I’m very weary.’ He lied magnificently. ‘I should have gone straight home to bathe and change, but I couldn’t wait to see you, my lovely.’ He leaned towards her and smiled deep into her eyes. ‘Unfortunately, I can’t stay long because Father is expecting a full report on his desk. He will want to discuss all manner of things. No doubt it will be the early hours before I get a wink of sleep.’

  ‘Oh, dear.’ Cicely was obviously disappointed. ‘And here was
I thinking we might have a cosy evening together. There would be no one to disturb us because Father won’t be home until quite late.’

  He sighed and kissed her hand again. ‘An evening together? Just the two of us? Oh, what a shame. That would have been wonderful. I am sorry.’

  Cicely led him to the settee where they sat and looked at each other, he with a fixed smile and she with mooning eyes, ‘All the same, I’m grateful that you chose to come here before going home.’ She looked towards the pull-bell beside the fireplace. ‘You must be longing for a cup of tea and something to eat?’

  He panicked then, sensing a delaying tactic. ‘Oh no. I would rather spend the short time we have together just talking and holding hands.’ He had known other women such as this gullible creature and knew that a little flattery would go a long way. They were so susceptible to a few chosen romantic words. ‘As I said, my first thought was that I must come and see you, regardless of how tired I was.’ He glanced at the clock. ‘My! Is that the time?’ It was almost five-thirty, and he knew that Ruby would be about to finish for the day. ‘A few minutes more then I really must leave.’ For the next few minutes he pampered and wooed Cicely, and she blushed and giggled and before long was completely under his spell. At precisely five-thirty he kissed her lightly on the mouth, and while she was recovering, stood up, saying, ‘I daren’t stay another minute, or my father will send out the hounds after me.’

  ‘Will I see you tomorrow?’

  ‘I can’t promise.’

  ‘But it’s Saturday tomorrow!’

  ‘A man’s work is never done,’ he reminded her.

  She was proud of him. No wonder her father approved of this young man. He was so conscientious, so dedicated. ‘I understand,’ she said warmly. ‘So when will I see you?’

  ‘Soon,’ he assured her. ‘Perhaps we could take a ride in the park on Sunday?’ The very idea filled him with dread, but if he was to achieve his plans, there was no choice but to suffer her company. First the courting, then the customary long engagement. Next the wedding. Then the prize. A reward well earned, he mentally congratulated himself. It might be a year or two but in the end he would have it all. It would take all of his cunning to bring the ownership of Banks’s foundry into his hands. Besides, even if that stubborn old man proved a hard nut to crack, his daughter Cicely would inherit everything when her father passed on. The inheritance would then become his. The thought made him smile: she was foolish enough to believe that he was smiling at her.