Cinderella Sister (29 page)

Lily studied the scene through the window and began to sketch, quickly and with growing confidence, while Gabriel raked the dying embers of the fire into life, adding several lumps of coal and working a pair of bellows until a blaze roared up the chimney. Absorbed in her task, she did not realise he was standing behind her until he leaned over her shoulder. She looked up with a start. ‘What’s wrong? Have I made a mistake?’

‘Not exactly, but your perspective is a little off.’ He took the charcoal from her and with a couple of deft strokes transformed the scene.

‘That’s amazing,’ Lily breathed. ‘Such a small thing and yet it looks as though I could walk into the picture and disappear into its depths.’

‘You would need wings on your feet, considering we are three storeys from street level, but you can see what I’m getting at, I think.’

She glanced up into his smiling face and a warm feeling washed over her. ‘Thank you, Gabriel.’

‘For what? We’ve only just begun.’

‘For caring enough to teach me things I could never learn on my own.’

He moved away, taking a seat in the chair by the fire and putting his feet up on the fender. ‘Let’s just say it amuses me, and I hate to see talent going to waste.’

Lily was not fooled for a moment. She had known him for a short time only but she sensed that beneath the casual, carefree face he showed to the world Gabriel Faulkner was passionate about his art. ‘I’d like to see some of your work,’ she said shyly. ‘If you’d let me.’

‘Of course, but my ability pales in comparison to that of my father. He is the famous artist and I doubt if I’ll ever be fit for anything other than to pass on my scant knowledge to students.’

Lily leaned forward to soften a shadow with the tip of her finger. ‘Is that how you support yourself? If so, then you should charge me for my lessons.’

‘Absolutely not, Lily. I wouldn’t hear of it.’

‘But you have to pay rent and feed yourself. How do you manage?’

‘My mother left me some money. It allows me to live modestly and I keep telling myself that one day I will paint a masterpiece and make my fortune. Although I know it is unlikely to prove true.’

Lily replaced the charcoal neatly in its box. ‘There, what do you think?’ She held the canvas up for him to see. ‘Have I passed my first test?’

‘My dear, you’ve only just begun, but it’s a good start. Tomorrow you will do some more sketches, and you will do them again and again until you can get the perspective absolutely right at the first attempt.’

‘But may I not paint this picture now?’

‘All in good time.’ He rose to his feet. ‘I think we will go out for a light luncheon and then call in at the National Gallery. I assume you’ve been there, Lily?’

She shook her head.

‘That is easily remedied. We’ll eat first and then we’ll spend a most pleasant afternoon studying the old masters.’

They lunched at Verrey’s in Regent Street, although Lily was overawed and frankly terrified by the starchy waiters in their black tailcoats and shiny shoes. She allowed Gabriel to order their food but she was uncertain which items of cutlery to use and had to watch him closely, following his every move, which seemed to amuse him greatly, although he refrained from making any comment on her ignorance of etiquette. Casting covert glances at the other diners, Lily was thankful that Ma had been a stickler for table manners, as had Aggie, who had begun her working life in service with a wealthy family up West. When they were smaller, Aggie had been deft with the use of a wooden spoon when it came to handing out punishment for eating with one’s mouth open, speaking when it was filled with food, or resting one’s elbows on the table.

Lily managed to eat her meal, although she was so nervous that she barely tasted the delicious turbot in
dill sauce or the jugged hare, but the sparkling champagne jelly slipped sweetly down her throat and she managed to toy with a little blancmange studded with crystallised violets and rose petals. She sipped a glass of white wine but she would have much preferred a cup of tea, although she did not dare say so in case she offended the august waiter, who looked so important she thought that she ought to be the one waiting on him. Gabriel tried to amuse her with witty anecdotes, but she mostly missed the point as she concentrated on minding her manners. She was relieved when he finally called for the bill, paid it with a flourish and, having left a generous tip, escorted her out into the street. The pavements had been swept clear of snow in the West End and Lily was both fascinated and impressed by the well-dressed people who passed them by. Elegant private carriages vied for road space with commercial vehicles and cabs, and crossing sweepers appeared as if from nowhere to clear the road of dung and detritus so that they might get to the other side without soiling their shoes.

They walked the short distance to Trafalgar Square with Lily clutching Gabriel’s arm and exclaiming in delight at everything she saw. He chuckled at her enthusiasm for the fountains and the recently placed lions designed by Sir Edwin Landseer that stood guard over Nelson’s Column. Gabriel seemed to be enjoying himself as much as she was. When they entered the grand portals of the National Gallery Lily was immediately lost in the wonder of great art. An hour passed and then two and all too soon it was time
to leave. She was in a daze as they stepped outside into the cold and darkness. She felt drunk with beauty and humbled by the great works she had just seen. Her own talent seemed minimal by comparison. Gabriel summoned a hansom and gave the driver instructions to go directly to Keppel Street. Lily sat back against the squabs, too overcome by her new experiences to speak, and he seemed to understand, making no demands on her and allowing her to dream.

There were lights in all the windows of the house as the cab drew up outside the house in Keppel Street. Gabriel helped her down onto the pavement and while he settled with the cabby Lily stood transfixed, her mind far away in lands created by artists long dead. Her imagination took her far away from the city with its cold smoky air and the underlying odour of putrid drains. Dimly she felt a hand on her arm and she turned, expecting to see Gabriel, but she did not instantly recognise the dark figure with a hat pulled down over his eyes. She opened her mouth to cry out in alarm but he laid a finger on her lips. ‘Shh – it’s me.’

‘Luke.’ Lily breathed a sigh of relief as he took off his hat and she saw her brother’s much-loved face. ‘You gave me a terrible fright.’

He grinned sheepishly. The light of the street lamp glinted on his hair turning it into molten copper. ‘Sorry, Lil. I’ve been waiting for ages and I’m frozen stiff.’

She rapped on the doorknocker. ‘You’d best come inside and get warm.’

‘No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’ll be in enough trouble if Matt finds out I’ve come to see you.’

‘What’s this?’ Gabriel joined them as the cab pulled away from the kerb and drove off at a smart pace. ‘Luke? What brings you here?’

‘I was just asking the same,’ Lily said, giving the knocker another smart tap. ‘He’s been standing in the snow for hours and he’s chilled to the bone.’

The door opened and Prissy’s face broke into a wide welcoming smile. ‘You’re home, miss. I was wondering where you’d got to.’

‘I’d best go,’ Luke said, backing into the shadows. He thrust a box into Lily’s hands. ‘Here, take this. It belongs to you and I thought you might want it above anything else.’

Lily took the paintbox with trembling hands. ‘Oh,
Luke. I thought I’d never see it again. You’re the best brother anyone ever had.’

‘Come inside, old chap,’ Gabriel said, patting him on the shoulder. ‘There’s no sense standing out here on the pavement.’

‘Yes, please come in even if it’s just for a few minutes,’ Lily pleaded.

Prissy settled matters by stepping outside and taking Luke by the hand. ‘C’mon, mister. Come indoors before we all catches our deaths of cold.’ She dragged him over the threshold with surprising strength for one so small. ‘I’m used to dealing with stubborn creatures,’ she said, snatching Luke’s hat from his hands and tossing it onto the hallstand with a deadly aim. ‘I weren’t raised on a farm for nothing.’

Lily followed them in, giggling at the sight of her big brother being manhandled by a tiny girl. He stood there looking bemused and blinking as his eyes became accustomed to the gaslight.

Gabriel closed the front door, shrugging off his greatcoat and hanging up his hat. ‘Well done, Prissy. I’m proud of you.’

Prissy blushed and shuffled her feet. ‘It weren’t nothing, Mr Gabriel. Shall I fetch you some beer or brandy? There’s a fire in the morning parlour. The missis told me to keep it going for Miss Lily when she got home.’

‘Where is she, Prissy?’ Lily asked, keeping a wary eye on Luke in case he decided to make a bolt for it. He was looking distinctly uncomfortable and she could only guess that he was thinking of what Matt would
say if he found out that his younger brother had disobeyed his orders.

‘They’ve gone to the opera, but the missis said I was to lay up in the dining room for you and Mr Gabriel when you come home. Cook’s done lamb collops and braised partridges because she knows that they’re Mr Gabriel’s favourites, and there’s apple pie and some of the jelly left over from last night’s dinner. Oh, yes, now I come to think of it there’s that smelly old cheese that the master likes so much, although it ain’t half as nice as the cream cheese Ma used to make when the milk went sour.’

‘Yes, thank you, Prissy,’ Gabriel said, taking her by the shoulders and propelling her towards the back stairs. ‘Go and tell Cook that we’ll eat in half an hour, and Mr Larkin will be joining us for dinner.’

‘Oh no,’ Luke said hastily. ‘I dunno about that, Gabriel.’

Lily gave him a stern look. ‘I won’t hear of you going home without eating something. I expect you walked all the way here and intend to do the same on the return journey, so you must have some food inside you.’ She began undoing the buttons on his pea jacket, which looked even shabbier compared to the elegant tweed overcoat with a fur collar that Gabriel had worn.

‘All right, you win.’ Luke took off his jacket and gave it to her. ‘I suppose I might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb.’

‘You might indeed.’ Gabriel led the way to the morning parlour. ‘At least you can tell that brother of yours that you didn’t consort with the enemy, and by that I mean my father.’ He threw the door open and
ushered Luke and Lily into the room where, as Prissy had said, the fire burned brightly and the gasolier had been lit creating a warm glow.

Lily pressed her brother into the chair by the fire. ‘I expect your feet are wet. Why don’t you take your boots off? No one will mind.’

He shook his head. ‘I got me work boots on, Lily. They’re pretty stout and kept me feet dry. I’m just cold.’

Gabriel moved swiftly to a side table laden with cut crystal decanters and he poured some amber liquid into a brandy glass. ‘Here you are, old chap,’ he said, passing it to Luke. ‘Drink this, and then you can tell Lily how things are at home. I know she’s been pining secretly even though she’s not said a word to me.’

‘I miss you all,’ Lily murmured, unable to prevent her voice from breaking with emotion. ‘Molly was here this morning, but she didn’t tell me much.’

Luke sipped the brandy and almost immediately the colour flared in his pale cheeks. ‘This is good. Only the best for Ma, eh?’

Lily glanced anxiously at Gabriel and he gave her a reassuring smile. ‘It’s good to see you, Luke,’ he said, steering the conversation to safer ground. ‘I suppose Molly told you where to find us?’

‘Yes. She was as mad as fire when she came home. She couldn’t get over the fact that Lily was living in luxury while she had to sleep in the same room as Nell and Aggie. Armand didn’t say much, but I get the impression he felt that he was in some way to blame for everything.’

‘He’s a decent fellow,’ Gabriel said, adding with a
wry smile, ‘for a Frenchman.’ He poured a small tot of brandy for Lily and pressed the glass into her hand. ‘You’re pale as the proverbial lily, my pet. Sip this slowly.’

The fiery spirit took her breath away but sent a warm glow through Lily’s veins. She took a seat opposite Luke. ‘Tell me about everyone at home. How are they all? Has Armand taken Nell to see the new house?’ She hesitated, realising by the look on his face that Luke knew nothing of Armand’s plans for the family. ‘I mean, I thought Nell would have told you by now.’

Luke tossed back the drink and held his glass out to Gabriel. ‘I think I need another, if you please.’

‘I thought it would be common knowledge in the family,’ Lily said, floundering. ‘I mean, it would be wonderful for you all to have a proper home again.’ She turned to Gabriel with a silent plea for help.

He refilled Luke’s glass. ‘I expect you were on duty in the fire station when Armand discussed the matter with the others.’

‘Very likely, but no one tells me anything.’

Lily was shocked by the bitterness in Luke’s voice. It was so unlike him as normally he was the most good-natured fellow and she loved him dearly. His head might be filled with dreams and rhymes but she had always felt closer to him than fiery Matt or easy-going Mark, who never took anything seriously. She leaned forward to pat him on the knee. ‘Don’t be angry. I’m sure Nell is dying to tell you.’

‘I expect you’re right, but I hate all this secrecy and upset. I want everything to be the way it was. I want you to come home, Lily.’

‘You know that’s impossible,’ she said sadly. ‘Matt has turned against me and so has Nell. I didn’t mean it to be this way, but maybe in time …’

‘It’s still wrong. We should all stick together, not turn on each other like a pack of wolves.’

Placing her glass on the drum table at the side of her chair, Lily slid onto her knees, taking Luke’s free hand in hers and holding it to her cheek. ‘You and I are still friends, and Molly came here with the best of intentions. The others will come round, but until then I have to remain here with Ma and Everard. They’ve been kind to me and I know Ma would love to see you too.’

‘Dinner’s on the table,’ Prissy announced, having barged into the room without knocking. She paused, casting an anxious glance at Gabriel. ‘I done that wrong, didn’t I?