Cinderella Sister (33 page)

Gabriel’s lips twitched. ‘I promise to have her home before midnight.’

Apparently satisfied, Prissy hurried upstairs.

‘Where are you taking me?’ Lily could barely contain her excitement, all her worries temporarily forgotten. ‘Do tell me.’

‘No, you must wait.’ Gabriel and Armand exchanged conspiratorial grins.

As they alighted from the carriage in Wapping Wall, Lily thought that they might be dining at the Prospect of Whitby, and she wondered why Armand and Gabriel would have chosen a pub here of all places, when they might dine in style and comfort much closer to home. But as they emerged from the passage that led to Pelican Stairs and walked past the pub, she realised that the surprise was even greater than she had anticipated. Wedged between a builder’s yard and a warehouse on the marble wharf stood what looked like an ancient hostelry. The name of the inn
had been obliterated by years of dirt and the ravages of the weather, but the metal-studded oak door in its half-timbered frontage might once have opened to welcome sailors, stevedores and travellers. The bow windows leaned at a dangerous angle over the narrow wharf and Lily caught her breath as she recognised her grandfather’s bewhiskered face peering out at her from one of the ground floor windows. It was too dark to make out his expression but she sensed that he was smiling at her, or perhaps it was wishful thinking. ‘Are you sure I’m welcome?’ she asked, turning an anxious face to Gabriel.

‘We didn’t bring you here just to look at the outside,’ he said, grinning.

‘Am I to stay?’ The words tumbled from her lips more in hope than certainty.

‘One thing at a time, Lily,’ Gabriel said, tugging at the bell rope.

‘I shouldn’t have come. Matt will be furious.’ Seized by panic, Lily backed away but Armand caught her by the hand.

‘Do not worry,
ma chérie
, Matt and Mark are on duty at the fire station.’

Lily felt herself go weak at the knees as the door opened and she saw Nell’s neat figure silhouetted against the light. ‘Come in.’

It was all the invitation that Lily needed and she rushed forward to fling her arms around her sister. ‘Oh, Nell, I’m so happy to see you.’

Nell gave her a brief hug and then extricated herself with a shadow of a smile. ‘It was Armand’s idea, and
Gabriel’s too. I’d rather not do this behind Matt’s back.’

‘Oh, let her in for goodness’ sake.’ Molly popped her head round a door to the right of the narrow flagstoned passage.

Somewhat reluctantly, Lily thought, Nell stood aside to allow Lily to pass.

Molly beckoned to them. ‘Come into the parlour. It’s the only room we have a fire apart from the kitchen. The chimneys smoke something terrible and they’re either clogged with soot or birds’ nests, we don’t know which.’ She gave Lily a peremptory hug. ‘Good to see you, girl. Make yourself at home.’ She gasped as Lily shed her cloak. ‘My God, look at you.’

‘Molly, don’t blaspheme,’ Nell scolded.

‘Just look at that gown though.’ Molly’s eyes widened and her mouth turned down at the corners. ‘It’s enough to make a saint swear. It must have cost the earth.’

‘It was Ma’s,’ Lily said hastily. ‘She gave it to me.’

Molly tossed her head. ‘Well aren’t you the lucky one. We have to wear calico and cotton and you’re dressed like the blooming Queen.’

‘Come now, ladies,’ Gabriel said, taking off his hat and gloves. ‘No squabbling please. This is meant to be a happy family reunion. It’s not Lily’s fault if Charlotte gives her things. I daresay she’d be just as generous to you, Molly, and you also, Nell, if you would put this feud behind you.’

‘Thank you, but I don’t need you to tell me how to behave,’ Nell said stiffly.

Lily could feel the tension in the air and not for the first time that evening she wished that Armand and Gabriel had warned her of their intentions. She would have come, of course, but she would have worn something simpler and been more prepared to face her sisters. Molly was glaring enviously at their mother’s cast-off gown and Nell looked distinctly uncomfortable. Lily felt a wave of sympathy for her elder sister; poor Nell, always trying to do the right thing and forever battling with her conscience.

‘Well, you’d best sit down and make yourselves at home,’ Nell said with an obvious effort. ‘I’ll tell Grandpa you’re here.’

‘No need. I ain’t deaf and I ain’t senile.’ Grandpa Larkin had entered the room unnoticed. There was a moment of expectant silence as everyone waited for his reaction. He held out his arms. ‘Come here, girl. Give your old grandpa a kiss.’

Lily stumbled in her haste to reach him and she flung her arms around his neck. ‘Oh, Grandpa, I’ve missed you. I’ve missed you all.’

He patted her back. ‘There, there, girl. Don’t squeeze the life out of me.’ He held her at arm’s length. ‘My, don’t you look grand. I hardly recognised you when I looked out of the window. Who’s that? I says to meself.’

‘It’s me, Grandpa. I’m still your little Lily. I haven’t changed.’

He shook his head. ‘That little girl’s gone for good, I think. You look all grown up, Lily, and quite the lady.’

Before Lily had a chance to argue, the kitchen door
opened and a waft of fragrant cooking smells preceded Aggie as she burst into the room. She stopped short, arms akimbo. ‘Well I never. So it is you, Lily. I thought I heard your voice.’

Lily eyed her warily, uncertain of her welcome. ‘Aggie, it’s good to see you.’

Aggie waddled across the floor to envelop her in a hug. ‘It’s been too long. I didn’t hold with any of the nonsense spouted by the rest of them.’

‘That’s not what you said at the time, you old warhorse,’ Grandpa said irritably. ‘You blamed Lily for going to her ma just as loudly as the rest.’

‘And it’s time to put all that behind us,’ Aggie retorted. ‘The girl has come home and here she should stay.’

‘Oh, may I?’ Lily clasped her hands to her breast, looking from Grandpa to Nell. ‘Am I forgiven?’

Armand cleared his throat. ‘Surely there is nothing to forgive. Wasn’t it only natural that a girl would want to know her mama?’

‘Yes,’ Gabriel agreed with an emphatic nod of his head. ‘Come on, Nell. You must have some feelings left for Cara.’

‘Cara.’ Nell wrinkled her nose in distaste. ‘So that’s what she’s calling herself these days. No, Gabriel, I feel nothing for the mother who deserted us so callously. She left me to bring up the younger ones when I was still a girl. I had to shoulder the responsibility for housekeeping as well as teaching at the Ragged School. She robbed me of my youth.’

‘You are still young and, if I may be so bold,
très
belle
.’ Armand took Nell’s hand and raised it to his lips.

Molly let out a sound halfway between a sigh and a hiss. ‘Oh for goodness’ sake stop pandering to Nell. I say that Lily is one of us and should stay. I’ve missed her and she’s the only one who knows how much starch to put in my petticoats.’

‘It’s not up to us,’ Nell said quietly. ‘Matt is still the head of the house.’

‘And I suppose I’m just a wooden figurehead,’ Grandpa grumbled. ‘I’m the senior man and I say she should stay.’

‘You’ve spoken sense, for once,’ Aggie said, nodding. ‘We’ve got the room now, even if the place is crumbling round our ears.’ She glanced anxiously at Armand. ‘No offence meant, mister.’

He smiled indulgently. ‘I am not offended,
chère mademoiselle
. The building is old, as you say, but I will do everything in my power to make it more habitable. It just takes time.’

Lily cast a questioning look at Nell. She could see that her sister was wavering but she also understood that Matt was a force to be reckoned with. His anger and resentment towards their mother had never abated; if anything, it had deepened with the passing years. She could barely imagine his reaction if he discovered the truth about the household in Keppel Street. Perhaps it would be better if the family remained in ignorance of their mother’s lifestyle. Lily slipped her hand into Gabriel’s and received a reassuring squeeze. ‘I’d love to come home, more than anything, but
perhaps this isn’t the best time. I don’t want to upset Matt and Mark.’

‘Luke is on your side,’ Molly said defiantly. ‘I say we should stand up to Matt. We’re all grown up now and have minds of our own.’

‘How about a nice cup of tea and a slice of my seed cake? I’ve got a proper range now and I can bake to my heart’s content.’ Aggie beckoned to Lily. ‘Come and see my kitchen.’

‘Never mind coddling your insides with tea and cake, I think something stronger is called for,’ Grandpa said sternly. ‘Let’s go to the pub.’

‘Capital idea.’ Gabriel looked to Armand. ‘What d’you say, old chap?’

‘I agree.’ Armand proffered his arm to Nell. ‘May I escort you to the so excellent hostelry next door, Mademoiselle Nell?’

For a moment Lily thought that Nell was going to refuse, but a reluctant smile curved her lips, transforming her face into a picture of serene beauty. Lily could see that Armand was impressed and she tried hard not to envy her sister. Nell did nothing to attract men, but when she smiled she seemed to enslave them forever. Lily wished that she had that gift. She realised that Gabriel was eyeing her with raised brows and a questioning look. ‘Are you coming, Lily?’

‘Yes, of course.’

‘I’ll fetch my shawl,’ Molly said, pushing past Lily and heading out of the room.

‘I suppose I’m included in this, or do I have to keep
my place?’ Aggie glared at Grandpa Larkin and he shrugged his shoulders.

‘Come if you must, old woman. No one is going to stop you, but you can buy your own ale.’

Armand shook his head. ‘It is my treat – isn’t that what you say? Please come with us, Mademoiselle Aggie. It would not be the same without you.’

‘Well then, there’s one gentleman present at least.’ Aggie stomped into the kitchen returning seconds later with her shawl. ‘Come on then. What are we waiting for?’

The atmosphere in the pub taproom was smoky and noisy. After a jug or two of mulled wine and several pints of ale, mostly drunk by Grandpa, everyone began to relax, even Nell. Molly was less inhibited and she wanted to know every detail of life in Keppel Street. Lily was careful only to relate the best aspects. She was in the middle of describing some of Ma’s more exotic outfits when Nell’s expression changed to one of alarm and Molly held her finger to her lips in a warning gesture. Lily, whose back was to the outer door, turned her head slowly and found herself looking in Matt’s angry face.

‘I came looking for Luke,’ Matt said furiously. ‘What do I find but my sisters drinking in a taproom like common dollymops?’

Nell’s hand flew to her mouth stifling a gasp of dismay, and following her sister’s gaze, Lily saw Eugene Sadler standing behind Matt.

‘I’m shocked, Miss Nell,’ Eugene said gravely. ‘This is no place for you.’

Matt seized Lily by the arm, dragging her to her feet. ‘I blame you for this. It hasn’t taken long for you to become corrupted by the bohemian way of living.’

‘Matt, you’re hurting me.’ Lily stared into his face, terrified by the angry stranger who seemed to inhabit her brother’s body.

‘Let her go,’ Gabriel said, leaping to her defence. ‘This isn’t Lily’s fault.’

‘I suppose you’re to blame then. Like father, like son.’ Matt released Lily, taking a step towards Gabriel with a pugnacious outthrust of his chin. ‘Step outside and we’ll settle this like men.’

A cheer rumbled through the curious onlookers in the bar. ‘Sort him out, Larkin,’ someone called loudly. ‘Put the toff’s lights out.’

The landlord strode towards them, rolling up his
sleeves. ‘You’ll take the whole thing outside, mate. I’m not having a brawl in my pub.’

Aggie helped Grandpa to his feet and Molly seized Lily’s hand, dragging her out of the taproom to stand shivering in the rain which had begun to fall in a steady drenching shower. The others followed in quick succession. Eugene took off his overcoat and wrapped it around Nell’s shoulders. ‘Allow me to escort you home, Miss Nell.’

She cast an anxious glance at Matt, who was still arguing with Gabriel while Armand attempted to mediate.

‘They won’t come to any harm,’ Eugene said patiently. ‘It’s men’s business.’

‘Well, I’m going home,’ Molly announced loudly. ‘Stay if you want to get soaked to the skin and catch lung fever.’ She marched off along the quay wall with Aggie and Grandpa hurrying after her.

Lily hesitated, oblivious to the rain and wind. The evening had taken on a nightmarish quality with Matt and Gabriel bellowing insults and Armand speaking volubly in his own language.

‘Come, Miss Lily.’

She looked round to see Eugene holding out his hand. ‘Come away and let them sort it out between them.’

‘Yes, Lily. Come with us,’ Nell urged. ‘You won’t do any good here.’

Armand threw up his hands and walked away from the quarrel. He proffered his arm to Lily. ‘Your sister is right, Lily. Come with me.’

‘They’ll hurt each other,’ Lily murmured anxiously.

‘No, they won’t. It’s just words.’ He patted her hand. ‘Come.’

There seemed little that Lily could do other than follow the rest of the party back to the house.

Inside it was warm and dry and everyone huddled round the fire with the exception of Aggie who was bustling about in the kitchen. Lily could see her through the open door as she arranged cups and saucers on a wooden tray. If things had been different, she would have been delighted to see Aggie in her element once again; queen of the kitchen and mistress of the range. She sighed and turned her attention to her grandfather, who had produced a bottle of brandy from behind the cushions on his favourite chair.

‘Fetch glasses, Molly. I’m sure young Armand will appreciate a good cognac. You too, schoolmaster, if you’ve a stomach for it.’

‘Thank you, sir,’ Eugene said, acknowledging the offer with a nod of his head. ‘I have been known to imbibe strong drink when the situation demands.’

‘And none more so than now,’ Grandpa agreed. ‘I can’t say that Matt was wrong in putting the blame on young Faulkner, but he should have waited until we’d finished our drinks. Making a scene in public ain’t the way to behave.’