A Place Called Home (33 page)

‘I won't dignify that with an answer, Northam. Your sister is a lovely girl and I'm proud to have made her acquaintance. I'm equally sorry if she mistook my intentions, but I can assure you that it was the last thing on my mind.'

‘Goodbye, Piers,' Lucy said, moderating her tone. ‘I'm sorry we have to part like this yet again, but perhaps you'll believe me now. There is and never will be a future for us together.'

He muttered something beneath his breath and retreated into the house.

‘Well, that told him,' Bram said, grinning. ‘Anyway, he's not good enough for you, Lucy.' He took her by the hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. ‘You're well rid of him.'

She managed a weary smile. ‘I think we'll stand a better chance of hailing a cab in Piccadilly.'

‘And on the way home you can tell me what's been going on while you were in Essex. How did you injure yourself, and why are you wearing those rags and that dreadful bonnet?'

‘I'll tell you everything, but I must know one thing first.'

‘What is it?'

‘Were you flirting with Dora? And why did you tell her you'd sold your commission before you told me?'

He threw back his head and laughed. ‘That's two questions, and I wasn't flirting with Dora. I simply tried to help her find a place for the moppets, because I knew that's what you'd want.'

‘All right, I accept that, but you must be more careful. She's a delicate creature and she's taken a fancy to you. Let her down easily, Bram.'

‘I never thought of myself as a heartbreaker, but of course I'll make things right with her. As to the commission, I could hardly tell you when I didn't know where you were. Pearl said you'd gone off on some wild goose chase to Essex and something about a circus, but it wasn't much to go on. As far as I was concerned you'd vanished into thin air, and now you've got some explaining to do.'

‘There's a cab. Flag him down, Bram. You've got two good arms and I've only got one.' She smiled up at him as he raised his hand to attract the cabby's attention. After the nervous weeks she had spent with the circus people it was wonderful to feel at ease in his company, and safe. There was nothing she could not tell him, although it might be best not to make too much of Stella's threats, which in hindsight were over-dramatic and too theatrical to be taken seriously. She was jolted out of her reverie as the cab drew to a halt and a man sprang down to the pavement. She recognised him instantly. ‘Quick,' she whispered. ‘Walk on, Bram. I don't want him to see us.'

IT WAS TOO
late: Linus had spotted them. He crossed the street, brandishing his silver-topped cane in a gesture of defiance as cabbies, coachmen and carters shouted and swore at him for scaring their horses, and by some miracle he reached the pavement unscathed.

‘I've spent the morning looking for you, Bramwell.' His angry gaze rested for a second on Lucy. ‘And I have a bone to pick with you too, Miss Pocket.'

‘I've nothing to say to you, Linus,' Bram said calmly. ‘And I doubt if Lucy wants to speak to you either.'

‘You owe me money, Southwood.' Linus barred their way. ‘In fact you are both in debt to me.'

‘If anything you owe me.' Lucy faced him with a defiant lift of her chin. ‘The money you gave me to support your children won't keep them fed and clothed forever.'

Linus shook his cane at a couple of flower sellers who had stopped to stare at them. ‘I suggest we go somewhere more private to continue this conversation.'

‘This is nonsense and you know it.' Bram placed a protective arm around Lucy's shoulders. ‘Let us pass.'

‘I heard that you'd sold your commission, and I expect to be repaid in full.' Linus struck a pose, leaning on his cane, an insolent smile hovering on his lips. ‘And you, miss. You've turned my little girls into slaveys.'

‘I don't know what you're talking about,' Lucy said angrily.

‘I visited that hovel you call home and found them scrubbing floors and cleaning windows. No doubt you offer their services as well as your own to your lodgers.'

Bram fisted his hands. ‘Say another word and I'll floor you, Linus. You've gone too far this time.'

‘I haven't even begun. I can make it impossible for you to find gainful employment in this city and I won't hesitate to expose your sister as a slut.' Linus turned to Lucy. ‘And I want the sixty guineas back or I'll report you to the authorities for running a bawdy house.'

‘You bastard.' With a neatly judged right upper cut Bram sent him sprawling onto the pavement, much to the amusement of the growing crowd of onlookers.

‘Hit him again, guv.' The cabby who had dropped Linus off was one of those who had cursed him for striding across a busy thoroughfare and had stopped to watch.

Bram leaned over and dragged a purple-faced Linus to his feet. ‘Threaten Lucy again and I won't be responsible for my actions.'

Clutching his cheek, Linus turned to the crowd. ‘You saw that. This man attacked me. Someone call a constable.'

‘Never saw nothing, guv.' A burly drayman flicked the reins, urging his horse to a trot, and as if by magic the crowd dispersed.

‘You are an evil man.' Lucy's voice shook with emotion. ‘How dare you say such wicked things about me? Your children are loved and well cared for and they're happy where they are.'

‘It was a gift,' Bram muttered. ‘It wasn't a loan. You bought the commission to please Meg. You hoped I'd be killed so that you could mistreat my poor sister and abandon her when it suited you.'

‘Your sister was a whore.' Linus backed away. ‘And I want my money back. I'll bankrupt you if necessary, but I'll have my due.' He flicked a malicious glance at Lucy. ‘As for you, you'd better pay up or I'll blacken your name so that no decent man will look at you.' He crossed the street, waving to the cabby. ‘Half Moon Street.'

‘Can't oblige, guv.' The cabby flicked his whip and drove off, leaving Linus standing on the pavement.

‘He won't go through with it, will he?' Lucy asked anxiously.

‘Just let him try.' Bram lifted his hand to hail an oncoming cab. ‘I was going to repay him in full, but I've changed my mind. I'll use that money to set me up in a nice little cottage somewhere in the country, with a bit of land to grow vegetables and room to keep a pig and some hens.'

‘I doubt if he'd take you to court; it would be too costly.'

‘If it was anyone else I'd pay up and be done with it, but Linus drove my sister to an early grave and abandoned his children. I'll see him in hell before I give him a penny piece.' He helped Lucy into the cab which had just pulled up at the kerb. ‘Leman Street, please, cabby.' He climbed in and sat down beside her.

‘Do you really mean to keep the money? It sounds as if he's been gambling again and he won't give up easily.'

‘Let me worry about that.' Bram took her hand and held it in a warm clasp. ‘Can you put me out of my misery and tell me where you've been these past weeks?'

‘I've told this story so many times that I'm beginning to think I imagined it all.'

‘A broken arm seems evidence that you haven't been sitting in your parlour with your embroidery.'

She met his earnest gaze with a reluctant smile. ‘You won't believe half of what I'm going to tell you, but it's all true.' She started haltingly, but Bram was a good listener, and she told him everything, coming to an end as the cab reached Leman Street.

‘That settles it,' he said firmly. ‘I'll put the money to good use. We'll get Eva released from jail.'

She stared at him with a mixture of gratitude and dismay. ‘I can't let you do that, Bram. She's my granny and I'm responsible for her. You must spend the money as you intended.'

‘My mind's made up, Lucy. After everything you've done for Meg's nippers it's the least I can do. I'll go and see your solicitor and tell him to take whatever action is necessary to free Eva from prison, and I'll foot the bill.'

‘Thank you, Bram. You're wonderful.' She flung her arms around his neck and kissed him, then drew away, regretting her impulsive action. ‘I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that.'

‘I don't know why not,' he said, chuckling. ‘You can kiss me whenever you want to.'

‘I got carried away.' She knew she was blushing furiously and she alighted from the cab without waiting for his help. Leaving him to pay the cabby, she crossed the pavement and was about to mount the steps when the front door opened and Vicky emerged, closely followed by Maggie. They ran to meet Bram, clinging to him like burrs.

He met Lucy's amused gaze with a smile. ‘I am a lucky fellow. It seems that all the young ladies are pleased with me today.'

‘It's the uniform, Bram. It turns all the girls' heads, so you'd best enjoy it while you can,' she said, laughing and at ease again.

He picked Maggie up and flung her over his shoulder, taking Vicky by the hand. ‘I'll be a free man at the end of the week.'

The next couple of days passed in a frenzy of activity. Lucy visited the house in Chelsea and was delighted to find that both Sid and Essie had settled happily in their new surroundings. The couple who had taken them in were middle-aged, childless and had obviously formed a strong bond with Essie, who was being treated like a much-loved daughter. Lucy took to them instantly and was satisfied that both Sid and Essie were assured of a much better future than she would have been able to provide. She left with a promise to visit as often as she could.

It was still early afternoon and she decided to stop off at Jermyn Street on the chance of finding Dora at home. She arrived just as Dora was preparing to go out.

‘You must come with me,' Dora said eagerly. ‘I hate shopping on my own and I have a fancy for tea at Gunter's. It's not far to Berkeley Square and it's a lovely day. I'd enjoy the walk.'

Lucy had not intended to stay long, but she could see that Dora was in need of company as well as cream cakes. ‘That sounds lovely. But I really can't afford it, Dora.'

‘Well, it's fortunate that I can, and you'd be doing me a favour because it wouldn't be proper for me to go there alone. I'm in a spending mood, so we can go on to Oxford Street and see what the department stores have to offer.'

Lucy had not the heart to refuse. She could not afford to treat herself, but if Dora wanted to go shopping she was happy to accompany her, and it would take her mind off her own problems. She had tried to forget Linus and his dire threats, but the memory lingered on.

After a delicious tea and a greedy indulgence in their selection of cakes and pastries, Lucy insisted on walking to the Marshall and Snelgrove department store in Oxford Street. She had a fancy to see what Debenham and Freebody had to offer, which entailed a detour to Wigmore Street, and by this time Lucy was beginning to feel exhausted. Her injured arm was aching painfully but Dora seemed to be tireless, insisting that she was in desperate need of a new pair of gloves and they simply must visit Penberthy's. They retraced their steps to Oxford Street, and having tried on and discarded several pairs of lace gloves Dora decided that the one she liked best was the first pair she had seen. ‘I find shopping cheers me up no end,' she said as they emerged into Oxford Street. ‘I know it was silly of me to think that Bram was interested in me, but I'm determined to be more sensible from now on.'

‘It wasn't silly at all. He's a very attractive man and he obviously likes you a lot, and who wouldn't?'

‘You're sweet to say so, but I'm afraid I made rather a fool of myself.'

‘You'd have to be made of stone to resist Bram. He doesn't realise how charming he can be, and he was mortified to think he'd upset you.'

‘Was he really? Well, I'm just glad that Mama and Papa are out of the country. Piers suggested that I might join them in Paris, and I'm thinking about it.'

‘I'm sure you'd have a wonderful time at the embassy. I expect they have parties and balls and you'd meet all sorts of interesting people.'

‘And maybe catch a rich husband.' Dora was suddenly alert and waving madly. ‘There's a cab. I'm not walking another step.'

‘Perhaps I'll take an omnibus.'

‘Nonsense. I insist you take the cab all the way home, and don't worry about the cost. I think Piers was feeling guilty for causing a scene and he gave me a generous amount to spend as I please, so it's only right that I give you the fare. Anyway, darling, you look a bit peaky. Is your arm hurting?'

‘A little, and these parcels are quite heavy.'

The cab pulled up at the kerb. ‘Jermyn Street, please, and then on to Whitechapel.' She tossed her packages onto the seat and climbed in. ‘Can you manage one-handed, Lucy?'

‘I'm getting used to it.'

Lucy arrived home to find Linus waiting for her in the parlour.

‘Shall I come in with you?' Hester asked nervously. ‘I know what a devil he can be when he's roused and he doesn't look too happy.'

‘I don't think I've ever seen him laugh,' Lucy said with a wry smile. ‘I'll be all right, just keep the children out of the way.' She entered the room, head held high and ready for battle. ‘Good afternoon, Linus.'

He had been staring out of the window, hands clasped tightly behind his back, but he turned slowly, facing her with a hard stare. ‘I've come for my money.'

‘I haven't got it. Most of it went on buying beds for your children and necessities like food, and new shoes for Maggie, and a—'

He held up his hand. ‘Enough. I'm not interested in your finances. You owe me sixty guineas and I want it now.'

‘And I told you that I haven't got sixty guineas.'

‘You can afford to travel in a cab, and you're wearing clothes that cost a pretty penny, so don't cry poverty to me. It won't wash.'