Hold on to your Dreams (7 page)

‘Everything’s set, David. My housekeeper has some decent clothes for Fred, and if they don’t fit she will soon make the alterations. The boy will be here by six o’clock, so we’ll dine here and then go to the club.’ Alex’s mouth turned up at the corners. ‘Oh, and Millie’s insisting on coming as well.’

‘Good heavens!’ He shook his head. ‘What are we going to do with her?’

‘I’ll put her in the kitchen. With all that food around her she won’t move.’

‘Good idea. I suppose she’s coming to look after Fred?’

‘So she says, but truthfully, I don’t think she wants to be left out. Will you join me for lunch?’

‘Thank you, I’d like to.’

At that moment the butler entered. ‘There’s a Miss Melrose to see you, sir.’

‘Oops!’ David stood up. ‘That’s my fault. I told her to come and see you, but I didn’t believe she’d do it.’

‘She doesn’t know about our plan, does she?’

‘No, she wants to ask a favour of you. I’d better not be here. She’ll be suspicious if she sees me.’

Alex’s eyes glinted with amusement at David’s discomfort. ‘Wait in the dining room.’

David shot through the door, closing it firmly behind him.

‘You may show Miss Melrose in.’ Alex stood by the window, his back to the door. This was intriguing. The first time he’d seen her he had been attracted to her lively nature and intelligence, and decided in that instant he wanted her as his wife. Before approaching her, he’d spoken with her father who had insisted that his daughter must make her own choice, but Sutton had given his approval. He’d thought it would be a reasonably smooth courtship from then on. How wrong he’d been! No matter how hard he tried to engage her interest, she shied away from him. He wasn’t a man to waste his time on a hopeless cause, but still he clung to the wish to make Gertrude his wife.

The door opened. ‘Miss Melrose, sir.’

He waited for the butler to leave before turning. She looked tired and ill at ease, but her head was high and her gaze steady. He liked that. Damn it! He liked everything about her.

‘I apologise for calling on you unannounced,’ she said, as soon as he was facing her. ‘But I would be grateful if I could have five minutes of your time, Mr Glendale.’

A stiff, well-rehearsed opening. Dipping his head in
agreement, he indicated a chair. ‘Please sit down.’

‘I’ll stand, as this won’t take long.’

He wasn’t going to have that! ‘You are not standing before a headmaster awaiting a rebuke, Miss Melrose. Sit down, please.’

It wasn’t a request, it was an order, and he watched emotions flashing through her violet eyes. She wanted to refuse, but after a brief hesitation she settled in the chair. He sat behind his desk and waited.

After drawing in a deep breath, she began. ‘You are aware that my family have turned Edward out, and I am concerned about my mother’s health. My father had every right to send Edward away, but my mother and I would be relieved to know where he is. I’ve had the help of a friend, but we’ve been unable to find any trace of him.’

When he didn’t speak, she continued. ‘At his suggestion I’ve come to ask if you could help. I don’t know what else to do.’

She looked wretched for a moment, and then recovered her composure. ‘But I’m wasting your time. I shouldn’t have come.’

‘Has your brother ever mentioned something he would like to do, or somewhere special he wanted to go?’

She was halfway out of her chair when he spoke, and sat down again at once. ‘I can’t recall him ever being interested in anything particular. He liked riding and was an excellent horseman.’

‘Nothing else? Did he want to travel?’

‘He never mentioned it, but he didn’t tell me everything. He would have spoken more freely to David Gardener.’

‘I’ll ask him.’

Her gaze locked on to his in surprise. ‘You’ll help?’

He nodded. ‘I’ll do what I can, but I make no promises.’

‘I wouldn’t expect you to.’ She stood up, clearly relieved. ‘Just knowing you’ll try to find Edward is enough. Thank you.’

Alex was also on his feet. ‘Don’t raise your hopes too much. Your brother could be anywhere by now. I’ll contact you if I have any news.’

‘Could you do that discreetly? Father doesn’t know we’re looking for Edward, but Mother needs to know he’s all right.’

‘I understand.’

Dredging up a faint smile, she left the room.

He stood by the window and watched her walk up the road. She was an independent girl, used to making her own decisions, so it had been hard for her to come pleading for help. But it was terribly important to her and her mother’s peace of mind that her brother was found.

His mouth set in a grim line as he turned away. He had never seen her looking so dispirited. He’d been attracted to her natural sparkle and bright intelligence. Now that brightness had faded, and he hoped it hadn’t been extinguished. If he ever got his hands on Edward Melrose he would be tempted to shake him until his teeth rattled. How could the thoughtless boy have put his family in this degrading position? He admired the way they were dealing with the shame. There had been no attempt to hide their son’s gambling or huge debts. The Melrose family had drawn closer together, making no secret of
the difficulties they were now facing. Such courage and dignity …

‘Will you help?’

At the sound of David’s voice, Alex turned and walked back to his desk. ‘I don’t know how I can succeed when you’ve failed, but I’ll do what I can. Tell me all you know about Melrose over lunch.’

By the time Gertrude arrived back at her father’s factory, she had regained her composure. She thought she’d managed the unpleasant task quite well, but was ashamed she hadn’t been a little more gracious. Her emotions were in turmoil, and standing in front of him had unnerved her. She didn’t know how she’d got through the meeting. His steely gaze never left her face, and she’d been sure he was going to refuse. But he had agreed to see what he could do, and she couldn’t ask more than that. After all, this wasn’t his problem, and he didn’t need to get involved. But her relief had been immense. David thought highly of Alexander Glendale, and she trusted her friend’s judgement.

Once back in the office, she remembered Fred’s wooden box. She had brought it with her and it was sitting on her desk. She smiled at the thought of the two likeable youngsters. The memory of their joy in the teashop was like balm to her distressed mind. She’d go to the bookshop on her day off and hope they were there. They mustn’t think she had abandoned them and was going to keep their possessions.

‘Did you have a good lunch?’ her father asked, sitting in the chair next to her.

‘Yes, thank you,’ she lied. There hadn’t been time to eat, and Mr Glendale certainly wouldn’t have invited her to eat with him. He hadn’t even seemed pleased to see her. So much for his supposed interest in her. But what else did she expect? He’d probably got fed up with her disinterest, and abandoned that idea by now.

‘What’s this?’ Her father reached out for the box.

‘I’ve been meaning to show it to you, but so much has been going on. The young boy I told you about made it.’

‘Hmm.’ Her father examined it closely. ‘It’s crude but well-constructed. The joints are excellent, and the carving on the top shows real promise. Has the youngster got a job?’

‘No, and he needs one.’

Sutton stood up, still holding the box. ‘Bring the boy to me, and I’ll see what I can do for him. I’m not promising anything,’ he said when he saw the pleasure on his daughter’s face. ‘We’re not in a good position at the moment, but I might be able to take him on as an apprentice. I’ll have to talk to him first, though.’

She knew her father and was pleased with his response. If he were really interested in Fred’s work he would help him. ‘I’ll see him on my day off on Thursday.’

‘No, go tomorrow morning and bring him here.’

‘All right.’ She watched him leave and could hardly contain her excitement. It was turning out to be a good day after all.

Aunt Hanna joined them for dinner and her lively company kept the conversation flowing. She was like a fresh breeze
lifting their thoughts and making them smile. Gertrude knew that Hanna’s life had been far from easy. She had been married at the age of seventeen to a much older man chosen by her parents. He’d been an odious man and treated the gentle girl harshly. When she had failed to give him the children he demanded he’d cast her aside and taken a mistress, flaunting her in public. But his wife was made of stern stuff and she had weathered the storm, somehow managing to hold on to her dignity. He’d died when Hanna was only twenty-nine, leaving her the small house in London and very little money, most of his fortune going to the other woman.

Gertrude held her aunt in high affection. She was always cheerful and optimistic, never once showing the slightest sign of being bitter about the way she had been treated. She always declared that she had come out of the experience a much stronger person. When she told them that all would be well in the end, they agreed that she was probably right. But Gertrude knew the future was uncertain and their lives would never be the same again. Her father would work himself to exhaustion in an effort to pull them out of the financial mess Edward had left them in. And although her mother did not appear to have noticed, she
had
lost her home. The chances of buying it back were remote.

How Gertrude longed to be able to remove their burdens …

‘Excuse me.’ Sutton stood up. ‘I’ll take my coffee in the study.’

‘Don’t work too late,’ Florence scolded her husband gently. As soon as he’d left the room she turned to her
daughter. ‘Did you see David? Is there any news?’

‘I’m afraid not. He suggested I ask Mr Glendale for help, and I saw him today. He said he’d do what he could, but I wouldn’t hope too much,’ she warned. ‘I can’t see what he can do, but David seems to think a lot of him, and I didn’t know what else to do.’

‘That was good of him to agree,’ Hanna said, nodding in approval. ‘You did the right thing.’

Gertrude pulled a face. ‘He didn’t seem too pleased to see me.’

‘Nonsense!’ Florence exclaimed. ‘He told your father he thinks a great deal of you.’

‘That was months ago, and I’ve hardly spoken to him since.’

‘Because you scuttle away whenever you see him.’ Hanna looked accusingly at her niece.

‘I do not
scuttle
away.’ She was indignant. ‘I avoid him, that’s all.’

‘Of course you do, and if he wasn’t delighted to see you then he’s given up on you. He doesn’t need to waste his time on an unwilling girl. There are plenty more who would welcome his attention. He has a wide choice, for even titled families would be pleased to have him as a son-in-law. He needs a wife and children of his own, so I expect he’s found someone else by now.’

‘I hope he has,’ Gertrude said defiantly.

‘Will you two stop arguing?’ Florence stopped them.

‘Sorry.’ Hanna glanced at her niece and winked. ‘If I was twenty years younger I would be running towards him, not away.’

They laughed as her aunt patted her hair into place.

‘Do stop that, Hanna,’ Florence chided. ‘You could have remarried a long time ago, but you would have none of it. Gertrude, do you really believe he will try to find Edward?’

‘He said he’d try. That’s all I can tell you.’ Her mother was clutching at this straw, and she didn’t want to raise her hopes too much. ‘We must be patient.’

‘I’m told that Alex never breaks his word.’ Hanna smiled encouragingly at Florence. ‘Don’t give up hope.’

Florence nodded. ‘He’s a resourceful man and I’m sure he’ll help all he can. Look how he stepped in to see we had enough money to pay off the debt and still remain in our home.’

Yes, just look! Gertrude didn’t speak the words or allow her misgivings to show. Her mother was drawing some comfort from his involvement and that’s all that mattered.

For the moment.

‘Let’s have a look at you.’ Alex turned Fred around and examined him from every angle. ‘You’ve done a good job with him, Mrs Jenkins.’

The housekeeper straightened Fred’s tie. ‘Thank you, sir. I had to alter the clothes rather a lot. The boy’s far too thin, but he does look presentable now.’

‘Indeed.’ Alex glanced across at Millie, who was grinning at her friend. ‘Can you find something for Millie? She insists on coming with us and I shall have to leave her in the club kitchen with Cook for a while.’

‘Hmm.’ Mrs Jenkins whipped a tape measure over the startled girl. ‘Young Daisy’s about her size. I’ll see if she’s got something suitable.’

‘Good. Tell Daisy I’ll buy her two new frocks to replace the one she gives to Millie.’

‘One will do!’ the housekeeper said in a disapproving
voice. ‘The girl wouldn’t expect more than that.’

‘I said two.’

The housekeeper sighed. ‘Very well, two it shall be, but you are far too generous.’ Then she left the room.

‘’Ere.’ Millie sidled up to Alex. ‘Do you let her talk to you like that? You’re the big man around here, ain’t you?’

He laughed quietly. ‘Mrs Jenkins has been with the family for a long time. She practically brought me up, and does take liberties some times.’

‘And you don’t mind? I mean I’ve watched all the others treat you like you’re the boss. You gives an order and they jump, fast.’

‘’Course they do,’ Fred told his friend. ‘He was an officer in the army and expects to be obeyed smartly.’

‘How do you know?’

The boy smirked. ‘There’s a picture of him in the other room. Mrs Jenkins told me you was a cavalry officer while she was making the clothes fit me.’

Millie was through the door like a shot and they could hear her running around the room. Then she returned clutching a silver photo frame. She hurried over to David. ‘Look at this! That horse is huge, and don’t Sir look fine in his uniform.’

‘Splendid,’ David agreed.

She spun round and trotted up to Alex, pulling on his sleeve. ‘Sit down, you’re too tall.’

When he did as ordered the girl leant on him so he could see the photograph. She began to point to parts of his uniform, asking, ‘What’s this called? And what’s that for?’

Fred shook his head and grinned at David. ‘She’s got to know everything. Questions, questions, all the time. Drives her family mad. Been like it from the minute she could talk. Still, he doesn’t seem to mind, does he?’

Before David could answer, the housekeeper swept into the room again. Seeing Millie holding the silver frame, she said sharply, ‘Put that back where you found it, girl!’

Millie rounded on her, indignant. ‘I’m asking him to tell me about his horse and the uniform. And I ain’t gonna keep the picture. I’m not a thief!’

‘Of course you’re not.’ Alex stood up. ‘Did you find something for Millie to wear?’

‘Daisy’s given me her best frock.’ The housekeeper studied Millie’s hurt expression and gave a brief smile. ‘I didn’t mean to imply you would steal the picture, young lady. I was pointing out that you shouldn’t pick up things when you’re in someone else’s house.’

‘Oh.’ Millie looked up at Alex. ‘Sorry, I didn’t know. You should’ve told me. We wouldn’t do nothing wrong to you, would we, Fred?’

‘’Course we wouldn’t. And he knows that, don’t you, sir?’

‘I certainly do. You are both very well-behaved and I trust you completely in my home.’

Millie nodded, relieved. ‘Miss takes us to a posh teashop and she ain’t ashamed of us.’

‘They was shocked the first time we went there. Bet they wouldn’t mind if I went in looking like this though.’ Fred smirked and looked down at his smart suit.

‘They wouldn’t know who you was,’ his friend laughed.

Alex turned her towards his housekeeper. ‘Go with Mrs Jenkins and see if the frock fits you.’

She gave the picture a tender look, running her fingers gently over the embossed frame. ‘Ain’t this lovely? I’ll put the picture back first. I know where it was.’

‘Thank you, Millie.’ He watched her walk out of the room with the housekeeper, his expression thoughtful. He rang for the butler who appeared immediately. ‘Ask Daisy to come and see me.’

As the butler left, the door to the other room opened and the housekeeper came in. ‘It’s a perfect fit. Come on Millie, show everyone how pretty you look.’

Her face appeared round the door, looking very uncertain about letting them see her.

Fred burst out laughing. ‘Don’t be daft. Millie, you ain’t never been shy in your life.’

Giving a defiant toss of her head, she stepped into the room. ‘Don’t laugh then! It touches the ground. I’ll fall over in the blinking thing.’

‘That’s how it’s supposed to be.’ David fought to keep a straight face. ‘You look lovely, Millie.’

‘Think so?’

‘’Course you do,’ Fred told her. ‘You look real grown-up.’

‘Hmm.’ She still looked uncertain as she ran her hands over the material. ‘Suppose it’s a pretty blue.’

‘It’s splendid,’ Alex said, just as the door opened and the young maid appeared.

She bobbed in front of him. ‘You sent for me, sir?’

‘Yes, Daisy. Thank you for giving Millie your frock. You may choose any material and the dressmaker will
make you two to replace it. Now, I know you’ve finished for the day, but I want you to come with us this evening to keep Millie company. I’ll see you are recompensed for your time. We shall be leaving in half an hour.’

‘I’ll be ready, sir.’ As Daisy passed Millie, she whispered, ‘The frock suits you.’

The club was quiet when they arrived. It would be another hour before the evening really began. After installing Millie and Daisy in the kitchen with strict instructions that they were not to move from there, Alex, David and Fred went to the gaming room.

David watched Alex in operation. The army officer was evident. He had planned the evening with military precision.

After setting two tables with glasses and plates, he gave Fred a tray. ‘Clear the tables,’ he ordered the boy. ‘Remember, men will be sitting there so don’t jostle them. Remove only the glasses you can easily reach. Don’t speak or make a noise. They will not be pleased if you break their concentration.’

The boy nodded and set about the task. When his tray was full, he asked, ‘How was that?’

‘Very smooth,’ Alex told him. ‘Once you have enough glasses, you take them to the kitchen to be washed.’

‘Right.’

‘All the time you’re working I want you to keep an eye on the players. I’m not going to point out the men we believe are cheating. We mustn’t let them know they are being watched.’

‘They won’t even know I’m here. Where will you be?’

‘At the table in the corner.’ Alex pulled out a chair. ‘Fancy a game of cards, David?’

‘But you don’t gamble. Everyone knows that.’

‘Perhaps I’m so bored away from the army I need a little excitement.’ He unbuttoned his jacket and sat down.

‘I suppose some might believe that, but what if others want to join us?’

‘Let them. Neither of us are known gamblers and we need to blend in.’ Alex turned his attention back to Fred. ‘You will work for two hours and then the usual boy will take over. If at any time you feel you can’t manage, or need to talk to me, place an empty glass on our table. I’ll meet you outside. Is that clear?’

‘Yes, sir, I knows what to do. You can rely on me.’

‘Good lad.’

The door opened and the room began to fill. David was relieved to see that they all had full tables and there wasn’t any danger of them being invited to join the others. Though from the curious glances many cast at Alex, it was obvious some would have liked to snare him, as he was reputed to be one of the richest men in the country.

Alex placed money on the table to make it look as if they were really playing, and thankfully, no one else asked to join them. He had an air of boredom about him, making David realise he was a consummate actor, and far more skilled at brag than would have been believed. If any of the others had drawn him into their games, they would have been in for a shock.

He fought to hide his amusement. ‘I had the impression
you didn’t know anything about playing cards?’

‘I never said I couldn’t play, I just don’t agree with gambling.’ Alex gave a wry smile. ‘You learn a lot of things in the army, but I’m not skilled enough to spot cheats.’

‘Nor me. And you’re letting me win all the time,’ David remarked dryly as he dealt another hand.

The boy moved quietly and no one was giving him a second glance. He didn’t come near them and David began to worry this evening was doomed to failure.

It was almost at the end of the two hours before he came over to their table. Having his back to the room he gave Alex a sly wink as he leant over to pick up a glass. ‘Got ’em, sir!’ he whispered, then left carrying a full tray.

As soon as Fred had disappeared, Alex threw down his cards, and said in an audible voice, ‘You win again. I don’t think gambling is for me.’

‘Try another hand.’ David joined in the subterfuge. ‘Your luck might change.’

‘I doubt it.’ Alex stood up. ‘Let’s get something to eat.’

David collected the money from the table. ‘Good idea, I’m ravenous.’

Once outside, David tried to give Alex the money, but he waved it away.

‘But it’s all yours.’

‘Give it to the youngsters. And include Daisy. She’s given up her time off to be here. They all deserve it.’

‘All right,’ he agreed, although he knew Alex had already slipped them some money, along with the new clothes. But he was right, they did deserve it.

Fred was tucking into a large piece of fruit pie when
they walked into the kitchen. ‘This is good,’ he grinned.

Millie was watching her friend with a glint of pride in her eyes. ‘All that running around’s made him hungry.’

Scooping up the last morsel, Fred swallowed, and then turned his full attention to Alex. ‘They’re good. It took me a while before I spotted them. Those poor devils playing with them didn’t stand a chance.’

‘Who was it?’ David could hardly contain his excitement.

‘Second table on the right as you come in the door. Was they the ones you’re interested in?’

‘Yes. Well done, Fred. Explain what they were doing.’

‘Well, there was three of them working together.’

‘Three?’ Alex and David spoke together.

‘I’m sure of it. The one with his back to the door was good at handling the cards. Not as good as me, though.’ He smirked. ‘The one on his left was working with him.’

‘They’re brothers,’ David told the boy.

‘Not surprised, but their ace was the man at the table opposite them. He could see what cards their victims were holding.’ Fred guzzled a glass of milk one of the kitchen staff had put in front of him. One look at these kids and everyone wanted to feed them. ‘They had a system of signals. I nearly missed him. I wasn’t sure at first, so I blocked his view once and he pushed me out of the way. They were letting the victims win now and again, but only when there wasn’t much on the table. There was quite a lot that time so I knew then what they was doing.’

‘Describe this other man.’ Alex’s eyes were narrowed.

‘Dark hair.’ Fred frowned. ‘Not like yours. Reddish dark.’

‘My God!’ Alex exclaimed. ‘Are you sure, Fred?’

‘No doubt about it. Why, do you know him?’

Alex nodded, fury glinting in his eyes. ‘His name’s Shawbridge.’

‘Michael Shawbridge,’ David said in awe. ‘Wasn’t he going to marry your sister?’

‘Oh, you don’t want to let him do that,’ Fred said in alarm. ‘He’s up to no good with those others.’

‘My sister’s dead. I was sad for them that the wedding never went ahead and they’d had a short time of happiness together, but now I’ve found out about this, I’m glad it didn’t.’

Fred looked upset. ‘I’m sorry your sister died.’

Alex tapped Fred on the shoulder in a friendly gesture. ‘So am I, Fred.’

Millie rushed over to him, concern on her face. ‘Ain’t you got no other brothers and sisters?’

‘Unfortunately, I haven’t.’

‘We got lots.’ The boy pulled a comical face, lightening the atmosphere. ‘You can have some of those, if you like.’

‘That’s very generous of you.’ Alex chuckled.

The way the conversation had been going worried David, but once again, Alex had shown himself able to cope with any situation. He wished Gertrude hadn’t taken such a dislike to Alex. He had a strong feeling the man was lonely, and they would have been admirably suited.

‘It’s awkward you knowing one of them so well,’ Fred remarked, ‘but what are you going to do about these men? They ought to be stopped.’

‘Can you get the money back they took off Miss’s brother?’

‘I doubt that, Millie. It would be hard to prove he had been cheated, but I’ll find a way to put a stop to them.’

‘You just tell me if I can help,’ Fred said angrily. ‘They’ve harmed Miss and her family. She’s been good to us and don’t deserve to be hurt like this. It ain’t right.’

‘No, it isn’t. Your part in this is now finished, and I thank you very much. David, will you see our young friends and Daisy get home safely? Take the carriage. I’ll get a cab when I’m ready to leave.’

‘What about the clothes?’ Millie asked.

‘You may keep them.’

‘You sure? We’ve had lots to eat.’

‘I’m sure.’ Alex smiled warmly at them. ‘I do believe you’ve enjoyed yourselves.’

Fred grinned. ‘It was exciting, and thanks for the clothes and everything. We’d like to know what happens.’

‘I’ll make sure you hear the whole story.’

‘Don’t leave nothing out,’ Millie told him. ‘We don’t like people who does things like this to Miss. She’s our friend.’

‘Take them all home now,’ Alex said, turning to David.

‘Of course.’ Then he said quietly, ‘These are ruthless men so be careful, Alex.’

‘Always.’

The last thing he wanted to do was leave Alex alone, but the children had to be taken out of harm’s way. No one must ever know they had been involved.

Once in the coach, he shared the coins between the three
of them. Daisy hesitated. ‘But I get paid, sir. I shouldn’t take this.’