by Dilly Court
Wearing the expensive mantle and gloriously extravagant hat, Judy felt like the most elegant woman in London as they strolled towards Oxford Circus. ‘Do you really know the owner of the shop, Rob?’
‘Of course not, but to be fair to the staff I will write a commendation, especially of the younger woman who found this lovely mantle for you. Now she has good taste and she’ll go far if the redoubtable Miss Banks will let her.’
‘Why do you care about someone you may never meet again?’
‘I felt sorry for her. I know what it’s like to be poor. I haven’t always had money, and I haven’t forgotten what it is to struggle to make a living. But let’s put all that aside. We’re here to have a good time. Where would you like to go next?’
‘I’ve never been to the zoo, but I’ve heard that there are lions and tigers and all manner of exotic animals to be seen.’
Rob raised his hand to hail a passing hansom cab. ‘The zoo, please, Cabby.’ He helped Judy to climb into the vehicle. ‘We’ll spend as much time there as you like,’ he said as he sat down beside her. ‘But I suggest tea at Gunter’s before we head back to the station. What do you say to that?’
She leaned against him and sighed happily. ‘It sounds too good to be true. I’ve really enjoyed today, Rob.’
‘It’s not over yet,’ he said cheerfully.
Judy was entranced by everything she saw at the Zoological Gardens, although she did feel sad for the loss of freedom that the large animals must surely suffer, even though they were obviously well fed and cared for by their keepers. She and Rob strolled around taking in the sights for over an hour, but the sky began to darken and there was a hint of sulphur in the air, and a yellow tinge to the fog that had begun to creep up on them.
Judy had experienced this only too often as a child. ‘It’s the beginning of a peasouper,’ she said urgently. ‘I think we’d better leave, Rob. When it gets dark you won’t be able to see your hand in front of your face, quite literally.’
‘Yes, I was afraid of that. We’d better cut our visit short or we might be stuck in London overnight.’
They left the gardens but it seemed that the whole of the West End had realised what was happening, and everyone was making for home or shelter of some kind. Cabs rushed past them, but all were booked, and the air grew steadily thicker as the fog swirled around them. Eventually Rob managed to flag down a hackney carriage, but the roads were so congested that they were travelling at a snail’s pace. The gas lamps were being lit and darkness was falling. The heavy cloud cover had forced the smoke from both domestic chimneys and manufactories to mix with the fog and had formed a choking yellow London Particular. Eventually the cab came to a halt.
Rob opened the door and leaned out. ‘Where are we, Cabby?’
‘I’m sorry, mister. This is the best I can do for you. We’re at Charing Cross Station and with luck I’ll make it to the cabmen’s shelter at St Clement Danes church.’
‘Is there any chance you could get us as far as Bishopsgate Station? I’ll pay double if you can.’
‘I’d like to oblige, but we’d never make it. The best you can do is to put up here, at the Charing Cross Hotel. You won’t get no further, I promise you.’
Judy caught Rob by the sleeve. ‘We could try to walk there.’
‘It’s too far. The cabby’s right, Judy. The fog is getting thicker by the minute. We haven’t got much choice.’ Rob alighted from the cab, holding his hand out to Judy.
She could only just make out his silhouette as the thick, choking pea-green fog closed in on them, but his fingers closed around hers in a warm clasp and a moment later she was standing beside him on the cobblestones. He paid the cabby and the vehicle moved off slowly, edging its way along the Strand, and was lost within a few feet of them.
‘We haven’t any choice,’ Rob said, linking her hand through the crook of his arm. ‘We’ll have to stay here tonight.’
Judy shivered. ‘You’re right. We’d never find our way in this, and it’s a long way from here to Bishopsgate.’
The foyer was crowded with people clamouring for rooms, and the overworked concierge was clearly at the end of his tether. The hotel manager was attempting to keep the would-be guests calm while they allocated rooms to those who had been marooned by the peasouper. Judy glanced round at the pale faces of the men who vied for attention at the reception desk. They were mostly businessmen, judging by their city suits and top hats, but there were some ladies, probably the wives of the more prosperous gentleman. Judy amused herself by trying to pair them off with their irate husbands while she waited for Rob to return from the mêlée.
After a long wait he emerged from the crowd brandishing two keys. ‘It was a battle,’ he said, smiling broadly. ‘I thought it was going to come to fisticuffs, but I have the last two rooms.’
Judy made a move to join him, but the young woman who had been seated not far from her suddenly rose to her feet, swaying dangerously. Rob was nearest and he caught her as she collapsed in a faint. The young man who was with her relieved Rob of his burden.
‘Thank you, sir. I’m afraid I wasn’t quick enough. My poor wife is exhausted and I’ve just had to tell her that the last room has been taken.’ He set his semi-conscious wife back on the chair.
‘Is she all right?’ Judy asked anxiously. ‘She looks so pale.’
‘We’re expecting our first child. We came up to town to celebrate, but I’m afraid all this has been too much for her.’ The man leaned over his wife, fanning her with his hands.
Rob exchanged meaningful glances with Judy and she nodded.
‘You must have my room, sir,’ Rob said firmly. ‘There’s no question about it, and it’s on the first floor, so you haven’t far to go.’
‘Are you sure, sir? It’s very kind of you.’
‘Your wife’s need is greater than mine,’ Rob said, smiling.
The young woman opened her eyes. ‘What happened, Henry?’
‘You fainted, Clara. But this kind gentleman has given us the key to his room. Can you stand, my dear?’
She held out her hand. ‘Yes, I think so. It was silly of me to faint, but I suddenly felt very hot and dizzy.’
‘You need to rest,’ Judy said calmly. ‘Is there anything I can do to help?’
‘No, you’re very kind.’ Clara rose to her feet with her husband’s assistance. ‘It’s the fault of this wretched fog. I’ll be fine now.’
Henry grabbed Rob’s hand and pumped his arm up and down enthusiastically. ‘I should introduce myself, sir. I’m Henry Parsons. Thank you again.’
‘Rob Dorning and this lady is Judy Begg.’ Rob proffered his arm to Judy. ‘Come, my dear. We’d better go to our room.’
Judy snatched the key from his hand and walked away. ‘My room, I think, my dear.’
‘You wouldn’t force me to sit up all night in the bar, would you?’ Rob’s eyes twinkled despite his pained expression.
Judy tucked the key into her reticule. ‘Wouldn’t I? Anyway, I’m starving. Do you think we could get something to eat?’
He took her free hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm. ‘We’ll go to the dining room before these people descend upon it like locusts. Then we’ll talk about where I’m to rest my head tonight.’ He led her through the crowd, heading for the elegant sweep of a staircase that led to the first-floor dining room, where by a stroke of luck they were shown to a recently vacated table. The flustered waiter apologised for the fact that the cloth had not been changed, but Rob assured him there was no need to worry and they understood the situation. The waiter, who was perspiring freely, hurried off to get the bottle of wine that Rob ordered and to bring them the menu.
Judy sat back in her chair. ‘This is getting to be a habit, Rob Dorning.’
‘I don’t recall bringing you here before?’
She giggled in spite of her attempt to be serious. ‘You might have brought another lady here, but not me. In Maldon we were caught out by snow, and now we’re stuck
here in London because of a peasouper fog.’
‘It’s quite delightful having your company for longer than intended, but I promise you I didn’t order the bad weather on either occasion.’
She smiled. ‘You do realise how this is going to look when we get home, don’t you? We’ll be the talk of the village, yet again.’
‘Then you’ll just have to marry me, won’t you, Judy?’
She eyed him cautiously. ‘You need to be careful, Rob. A joke like that could backfire on you. I might accept.’
‘Would that be so terrible?’
She was prevented from answering by the sudden appearance of the agitated waiter, who had brought the wine that Rob ordered, and the menus, which he dropped on the floor and had to scramble around under the table to pick up. Having given them one each, he opened the wine and spilled some of it as he poured a little for Rob to sample. His hands shook as he filled their glasses.
‘I beg your pardon, sir. I’m so sorry, but it’s chaos in the kitchen, and people are queuing to get into the dining room. I’ve never seen it so busy.’
‘It’s all right,’ Rob said easily. ‘Don’t worry. We’re not in a hurry. We’re going nowhere until the fog clears.’
The waiter backed away and Rob handed Judy a menu. ‘Heaven knows what he’ll do with the food. I half expect it to be delivered straight to my lap.’
Judy was still chuckling when the waiter reappeared, only this time he was not alone. ‘Sir, I beg your pardon, but this gentleman says he knows you, and he insisted on speaking to you.’
Judy looked up and saw Henry Parsons hovering behind the waiter.
‘I do hope you don’t mind this imposition, but my wife is terribly hungry, and the queue is halfway down the staircase. I saw you through the glass door, and I just wonder if we might share your table?’
Judy met Rob’s amused glance with a smile of resignation. ‘Of course we don’t mind. Do we, my dear?’
Henry’s jaw dropped. ‘Oh! Are you two celebrating as well? I’m sorry I didn’t mean to interrupt.’
‘No, it’s quite all right,’ Judy assured him. ‘Rob just proposed to me. I haven’t given him my answer yet, but don’t worry, Henry, I’m still thinking about it. Please do fetch Clara. We can’t allow a lady in a delicate condition to go hungry, can we, Rob?’ She smiled angelically and turned her attention to the menu.
Two can play at that game, Rob Dorning. She shot him a sideways glance. Now you don’t know what I’m thinking.
Chapter Twenty
Clara was apologetic and clearly uncomfortable during the meal even though Judy tried to reassure her that they were not imposing. However, Clara’s appetite did not seem to be affected and she ate well, although she refused wine and opted for water instead. When she finished the last spoonful of dessert she replaced her spoon in the bowl.
‘I’ve been thinking, Henry.’
‘Yes, my dear. What about?’
Clara shot him a sideways glance beneath long, dark eyelashes. ‘Well, we’ve taken poor Rob’s room, and I think it very unfair that he has no bed for the night.’
‘I assure you I can sleep anywhere,’ Rob said hastily. ‘Please don’t worry on my account.’
‘But I do feel concerned.’ Clara’s green eyes filled with tears. ‘The hotel is so crowded there will hardly be a seat free, let alone anywhere to lie down.’
‘Don’t upset yourself, my love,’ Henry said anxiously.
‘I’m quite all right, but what I suggest is that Judy and I share a room, and you and Mr Dorning have the other.’
Judy could see the sense in this, and she, too, had been concerned for Rob. ‘I agree. If Clara doesn’t mind, then neither do I. It seems to be the most sensible arrangement.’
Rob looked as if he was about to refuse, but Henry insisted that his wife was right and that it was the only fair way to allocate the accommodation.
‘That’s settled then,’ Clara said firmly. ‘I’m very tired and I’d like to retire now, Henry.’
He rose to his feet. ‘Of course, my love. Shall I take you to your room?’
‘That won’t be necessary.’ Judy was already on her feet. ‘I’m exhausted, too. I’ll see you in the morning, Rob. It’s been a lovely day, even allowing for the peasouper.’
Rob half rose from his seat. ‘Good night, Judy. I’ll see you at breakfast. Good night, Mrs Parsons.’
Clara answered with a weary smile and allowed Judy to lead her from the dining room. ‘I hope you don’t mind sharing with me, Judy. It seems a terrible imposition.’
‘Not at all. In such circumstances it’s the least we could do.’
They walked on in silence until they came to the room that Judy should have had to herself and Clara flopped down on the bed. ‘Are you going to accept Rob’s proposal?’
Judy went to the fireplace and added another shovelful of coal. ‘That was a joke. We weren’t serious.’
‘Oh, no. You’re wrong, Judy. It’s quite obvious that Rob is in love with you.’
Judy turned to give her a searching look. ‘What makes you say that?’
‘I don’t know. I suppose it was everything really – the way he looks at you and the change in tone of his voice when he’s speaking to you. I hardly know either of you, but I’m certain I’m right.’
‘I don’t know about that,’ Judy said evasively.
‘Well, who am I to tell you anything?’ Clara chuckled and rose to her feet. ‘Would you be an angel and unlace me, Judy? I really need to lie down, and I’m so sorry if we spoiled your evening.’
‘I was ready for bed, so please don’t worry. I think I’ll sleep without rocking, as my mum always says.’ Judy helped Clara off with her outer garments before tackling the tightly laced corset.
Clara breathed a sigh of relief and, still wearing her chemise, she climbed into the bed. ‘I hope I didn’t speak out of turn, Judy. You and Rob have been so kind to us.’
‘You’ve given me something to think about,’ Judy said candidly. ‘The trouble is, I never know when Rob is serious or when he’s teasing me.’
‘He’s a good man.’ Clara yawned and turned on her side. ‘Good night, Judy.’
Judy sat by the fire for a while, thinking over what Clara had said. Of course she was mistaken: Rob was not romantically inclined, and even if he were, the old spectre of social divisions would once again raise its ugly head. When the mansion was rebuilt Rob Dorning, the legitimate son of the old squire, would become the lord of the manor, and she would still be Judy Begg from Green Dragon Yard.
Judy sighed and rose to her feet. She could tell by Clara’s even breathing that she was already fast asleep. Judy unlaced her boots before shedding her outer garments and her stays. She crept under the covers, lying back to back with Clara, and drifted off to sleep.
Next morning, after a rushed breakfast in the overcrowded dining room, Judy and Rob said goodbye to Clara and Henry, promising to keep in touch, although Judy knew that their different lifestyles would make it unlikely that they would ever meet again. Nevertheless she was very touched when Clara promised to call their baby Judy, if it turned out to be a girl, and Robert if it were a boy. They parted on the best of terms and then Rob and Judy caught a hansom cab to Bishopsgate Station, although now they were on their own Judy found herself unusually tongue-tied and shy. Clara’s insistence that Rob was interested in her romantically had made Judy examine her own heart, and Rob seemed preoccupied during the journey home. When he did talk it concerned his plans for the new Creek Manor, and Judy listened politely, making suitable comments when required, but they had lost the easy friendship they had enjoyed the previous day.
It was something of a relief to reach the normality of home, although there were explanations to be made as to why they found it necessary to stay away overnight. Hilda, being a Londoner born and bred, understood perfectly, but Nate had been too young to remember the peasouper fogs and he was openly hostile. Rob changed out of his city clothes into riding breeches an
d a tweed jacket and he set off for the building site, leaving Judy to go through every detail of their day out together in order to please her mother. Hilda drank several cups of tea while listening to Judy’s account of her exciting trip to London, although she was clearly worried about what people would make of the smart new outfit that Rob had bought Judy.
‘You know what people are like, dear,’ Hilda said, shaking her head. ‘The hat and the mantle are lovely, but I think they should be kept for special occasions only.’
Judy chuckled. ‘You mean I should put them away in the clothes press and forget about them.’
‘Not exactly, but let’s face it, Judy. We couldn’t afford to buy such things even if we saved up for a whole year. And then there’s the fact that you spent the night in Rob’s company – you know what people will say about that.’
‘But they would be wrong, Ma. I shared a bed with Clara, and Rob had to sleep with Henry, who apparently snored all night. The people round here won’t ever have experienced a London Particular, so they don’t know what it’s like.’
‘Very true, and the least said the better.’ Hilda finished her tea. ‘There’s something I must tell you before you hear it from anyone else.’
‘Really, Ma? What is it?’ Judy tried not to sound too relieved at the change of subject – the cross-examination about her time in London was getting a bit wearisome.
‘I heard last evening that Jack has left for Southampton. He didn’t call in or send a message, which I think was very wrong of him. You two were close at one time and he should have had the courtesy to come and say goodbye.’
‘Perhaps it’s for the best,’ Judy said cautiously. ‘Did Jay go with him?’
‘I’m not sure, dear. It was quite strange because he came into the bar last evening. I thought for a moment he was going to cause trouble, but he chatted quite normally and then he left. He did ask after you, though. I thought that demonstrated a certain degree of feeling on his part.’