Mermaids Singing (32 page)

‘What’s up?’ demanded George as Kitty stopped suddenly, tugging on his arm.

‘Over there on the other side of the road. It’s Mr Rackham.’

‘What if it is? We’ve done nothing wrong.’

‘Oh, bother! He’s seen us.’ Kitty glanced around for some means of escape but Rackham was already halfway across the road.

‘Well, then,’ Rackham said, tipping his hat to Kitty. ‘This is a pleasant surprise. I didn’t realise that you two were so friendly.’

‘It’s my afternoon off, Sir,’ George said, jumping to attention.

‘We just went for a walk,’ Kitty said, eyeing him warily. ‘We’re old friends.’

Rackham put his head on one side with an alert expression in his eyes. ‘So, are you now? That might be very useful.’

‘I’m sure I don’t know what you mean, Sir. Please let us pass, George has to be back on duty by five o’clock.’

‘I’ve just come from Dover Street. Sir Desmond has taken to his bed with a touch of gout and Miss Iris is too busy telephoning her friends to tell them her news to notice that the second footman’s late for duty.’

‘I’d best get back quickly.’ George ran a finger around the inside of his collar, sending Kitty an anxious look. ‘I bet Mrs Dixon is on the warpath.’

‘That’s not what I meant, young man.’

‘What did you mean, Mr Rackham?’ Kitty demanded, wondering if Mr Rackham had gone completely mad. ‘What news?’

‘Miss Iris is engaged to be married, Kitty.’

‘Not to you, Sir!’ exclaimed Kitty, outraged. ‘You’re not going to marry Miss Iris?’

Rackham tapped the side of his nose and laughed. ‘Perhaps. Who knows?’

‘And you pretended to be Bella’s friend,’ Kitty cried, brushing off George’s restraining hand. ‘How could you?’

Rackham’s smile faded. ‘I am Bella’s friend and I want you both to remember that. I’m doing this for Bella and for Leonie, but I’ll need your help. Can I count on you?’

‘What are you saying?’ demanded Kitty.

‘I’m asking you to trust me,’ Rackham said, his expression serious for once. ‘I can’t reveal my plans at this moment in time, but can I count on you both to help me?’

It had been the night of all nights in the theatre. The audience had been even more appreciative than usual and Bella had taken curtain call after curtain call. She could still hear the cheering and applause echoing in her head as she slapped cold cream on her face, scrubbing at the thick coating of greasepaint with a flannel.

‘You look like a circus clown,’ Maria said, staring critically at Bella’s reflection in the mirror. ‘I hope you’re not going to get all temperamental now that you’re top of the bill, my girl.’

Bella snorted with laughter. ‘Not much chance of that with you around, Mother dear.’

‘When you call me Mother, I know you’ve really got the hump.’ Maria pursed her lips. ‘What’s up?’

‘You haven’t heard the news then?’

‘Mafeking and Ladysmith have been relieved. No, that was last year. Um, let me guess … I know, the King has sent you a personal invitation to his Coronation next year along with Lillie Langtry and the rest.’

‘Very funny, Mother. I might die laughing.’

‘Then what is it? Stop playing games, for God’s sake, Bella, and tell me.’

‘Rackham is engaged to Iris.’

‘So what? Why does that nark you? They should suit each other down to the ground.’

‘Because,’ Bella said, wiping off the last of her make-up, ‘Giles was supposed to be on my side. I never believed him when he said he was seeing Iris in order to help me get Leonie back. He’s a cheat and a liar and he makes me sick.’

‘You’re well rid of him and the Mableton family. You should concentrate on Humphrey. He’s mad about you and he’s rich. If you play your cards right he might get his lawyers to take your case.’

‘He wouldn’t do that; he’s not interested in my child. Humphrey just wants me to be his mistress but I don’t want him.’

‘Bah!’ Maria snorted. ‘You’re not still pining for Edward, are you?’

Shaking her head, Bella opened her mouth to deny it, but the sound of someone knocking on the door drowned her reply.

Maria went to answer it. ‘Mr Chester, I thought it was you, Sir.’

‘Is Bella ready?’

‘Humphrey, I’m really tired,’ Bella said, rising slowly to her feet. ‘Would you mind if I went straight home tonight?’

Humphrey stepped into the tiny room, his face creased with concern. ‘Are you unwell, my darling?’

‘No, but it’s been a long day.’

Slipping his arm around Bella’s waist, Humphrey smiled into her eyes. ‘A glass or two of champagne will work wonders. Get dressed, my love, and I’ll wait for you in my office.’

‘I’d really like to go home,’ Bella said firmly. ‘Maybe tomorrow night?’

Humphrey brushed her lips with a kiss. ‘Nonsense, sweetheart! I’ve got an old friend of yours waiting to see you. You wouldn’t want to disappoint him, now would you?’

‘An old friend?’ Bella’s heart began to race.

‘The friend who brought us together in the first place, my dove. Giles Rackham.’

Sparks of anger ignited in Bella’s brain. ‘Give me five minutes, Humphrey,’ she said, pushing him towards the door.

As he left the room, Humphrey blew her a kiss. ‘I knew you’d change your mind.’

Snatching up the pot of cold cream Bella flung it at the opposite wall with all her might. It shattered in a starburst of broken glass and white cream. ‘Rackham! I might have known he’d come to gloat.’

‘Don’t get yourself in a state,’ Maria said, snatching Bella’s evening gown off its hanger. ‘Forget Rackham and be thankful that you’ve got a man who thinks the sun shines out of your backside.’

‘Not likely,’ Bella cried. ‘Not blooming likely! I want to see Giles face to face and I’ll give him what for.’

Without knocking, Bella marched into Humphrey’s office.

Rackham had his back to the door but he turned as she burst into the room, smiling and holding his arms outstretched. ‘Bella, your performance was spiffing, as usual.’

‘And you are despicable, Giles, as usual!’

‘Bella, that’s not like you.’ Humphrey leapt to his feet and, moving swiftly for such a large man, he came from behind his desk to place his arm around Bella’s shoulders. ‘You poor darling, you really must be exhausted after that sparkling performance tonight.’

‘Humphrey, would you mind if I had a word with Giles? Alone!’

‘Not at all, if it will help to straighten things out,’ Humphrey said, kissing her on the cheek. ‘Don’t upset, my brightest star, Giles, or you’ll have me to answer to.’

As he left the room, Bella turned on Rackham. ‘You despicable cad! How could you stoop so low as to make up to Iris?’

Rackham seized her hands. ‘Bella, listen to me,’ he said, urgently. ‘Everything I’ve done is to help you, you must believe me.’

‘I don’t believe anything you say.’ Struggling, Bella attempted to break free but his grip was pure steel.

‘All right, but just hear me out if you want your daughter back.’

‘What are you saying?’

‘Make any excuse you like, but refuse Humphrey’s supper invitation. I’ve arranged everything. Kitty is waiting outside in a hackney carriage and George will let us into the house in Dover Street.’

‘I – I don’t understand. What wild scheme have you dreamed up?’

‘Do exactly what I tell you, and by midnight you’ll have Leonie safely back with you, where she belongs.’

Mableton House was eerily silent as Bella followed Rackham and Kitty up the servants’ staircase. The only sound that Bella could hear, apart from the soft pitter-patter of their feet on the stone steps, was the drumming of her own heart. George had let them in, and now led the way through the sleeping house. When they reached the nursery suite, he slipped away to stand guard at the top of the main staircase.

Rackham turned to Kitty. ‘Go and get Leonie.’

‘Let me go in first,’ Bella whispered. ‘Leonie will be frightened at being woken in the middle of the night.’

Rackham shook his head. ‘Kitty knows her way round the nursery, even in the dark.’

‘Leonie will remember me, Bella,’ Kitty whispered. ‘Best do as he says.’

Rackham put his arm around Bella’s shoulders. ‘Trust me, Bella.’

She could feel his muscles tense, ready to spring into action, and the firm pressure of his fingers on her upper arm was oddly comforting. This time, to her own surprise, she didn’t flinch or pull away.

‘Keep calm,’ he said softly. ‘It won’t be long now.’

A loud crash from inside the nursery was followed by screams. Pushing Bella aside, Rackham wrenched the door open and switched on the light. In the middle of the room, Nanny Briggs, with her nightcap askew and her eyes bleary with sleep, was clutching Leonie’s arm in an attempt to wrest her from Kitty. Nanny’s screams and Kitty’s cries of protest were all but drowned by Leonie’s angry howls. Rackham seized Nanny, pinning her arms behind her back. ‘Get Leonie out of here,’ he told Kitty, as Nanny kicked out at him. ‘Stop struggling, woman.’

Sweeping Leonie off her feet, Kitty hefted the hysterical child over her shoulder.

Beside herself with joy mingled with fear, Bella tried to take Leonie from Kitty’s arms. ‘Mama is here, baby. Give her to me, Kitty.’

‘Don’t, Bella,’ Kitty said, struggling to keep hold of Leonie. ‘She’s terrified and she’s heavy.’

‘For God’s sake, just get her to the carriage,’ Rackham gasped, as he struggled to restrain Nanny Briggs, who was trying to bite his hand. ‘That’s enough from you, madam.’ Hefting her off her feet, he dumped her in the bedroom, turning the key in the lock. ‘Run for it, both of you. Someone’s coming.’

‘Stop that noise,’ Kitty commanded Leonie in a stern voice that silenced her for a minute. ‘We’re going on a big adventure. Hold my hand and don’t let go.’

Wide-eyed and trembling, Leonie clutched Kitty’s hand, casting an anxious glance at Bella.

‘Do as Kitty says, my darling.’ Giving Leonie a gentle push, Bella followed them out of the room, only to find Iris on the landing, barring their escape. With her hair wound up in rags and her nightgown billowing around her skinny body, she looked wild to the point of madness.

‘Help,’ Iris shrieked. ‘Father, help! They’re kidnapping Leonie.’

‘Run, Kitty!’ cried Bella, grabbing Iris by the sleeve. ‘Run!’

‘Let me go, bitch,’ screamed Iris, giving Bella a hefty shove that sent her staggering backwards into Rackham’s arms. Bundling her skirts above her knees, Iris tore after Kitty as she headed for the main staircase.

George stood at the top of the staircase, seemingly stunned and unable to move, as Kitty hurtled past him, clutching Leonie, closely followed by Iris with Bella and Rackham making grabs at her flailing arms. They all came to a sudden halt on the landing below, confronted by Sir Desmond, breathing heavily and purple in the face as he leaned on his cane for support.

‘What the bloody hell is going on?’

‘Father, Father, they’re trying to take Leonie,’ Iris wailed.

Sir Desmond advanced on Kitty, who dodged him and started to run down the next flight of stairs. She almost bumped into Warner, who appeared round the bend in the stairs, struggling into his dressing gown.

‘I heard the commotion, Sir,’ he said breathlessly. ‘What’s happening?’

‘Kidnap, that’s what’s happening, Warner,’ Sir Desmond said, wheezing and waving his stick wildly above his head. ‘You there, George! Don’t gawp like an idiot. Fetch the constable.’

Rackham lunged forward, seizing Sir Desmond by the throat. ‘Let Bella have her child, you miserable bastard. Haven’t you caused her enough misery?’

‘Take your hands off me.’ Sir Desmond’s florid complexion darkened a few shades. ‘This time you’ll go to prison and I’ll make sure that it’s for life.’

‘And you said you loved me.’ Iris flew at Rackham, beating her fists against his back. ‘You’re a cad and a liar. Hanging is too good for you.’

Keeping his hold on Sir Desmond, Rackham turned his head to look at Iris with a flash of his old humour. ‘Does that mean our engagement is off, my love?’

Iris leapt backwards with a scream of rage, tugging at the ring on her finger and hurling it at Rackham, catching him on the cheek. ‘You swine, I hate the sight of you. How could I ever have imagined I loved you?’

A trickle of blood ran down his cheek where the diamond had cut him. ‘I’m broken-hearted, my dear,’ Rackham said, wiping his cheek on the back of his hand.

‘You, George,’ roared Sir Desmond. ‘I told you to fetch the constable.’

Kitty sent him a pleading look. ‘Don’t do it, George.’

George hesitated, glancing nervously from Sir Desmond to Warner, who had reached the top of the stairs and was eyeing Rackham uncertainly.

‘Kitty, take Leonie to the carriage,’ Bella whispered. ‘If we’re not out in five minutes tell the cabby to take you home.’

‘I’ll not leave you like this,’ Kitty said, attempting to pacify Leonie, who was sobbing against her shoulder.

‘We’re leaving, Mableton,’ Rackham said, relaxing his grip so that Sir Desmond toppled against the banister. ‘The child belongs with her mother and I’d advise you not to try and stop us.’

‘You’ll go to jail for this, Rackham,’ Sir Desmond spluttered, as Warner helped him to his feet.

Iris rounded on Bella. ‘You bitch. This is all your doing. You were never good enough for my father and you tried to seduce my brother. I’ll make it my business to see that no one in polite society will have anything to do with you, or your ridiculous shop.’

‘They’ll be too busy laughing at you, Iris,’ Bella retorted. ‘You’ll be the object of society gossipmongers, not me.’

Iris drew back her head, eyes-narrowed, hissing and poisonous. ‘Do you really sell gowns or your own personal services? I always thought you were just a common whore.’

Bella leapt at Iris, her hands balled into fists. ‘Take that back.’

‘That’s enough!’ Rackham stepped between them, his face pale with fury. ‘Iris, if you so much as breathe a word against Bella, I’ll see to it that the name of Mableton is smeared all over the newspapers. I’m sure that everyone would love to know that Sir Desmond is a wife beater and his daughter was prepared to buy herself a husband.’

Iris threw up her hands and screamed. Sir Desmond lifted his cane and struck out at Rackham, who dodged the blow. Losing his balance, Sir Desmond stumbled, tried to save himself by clutching the handrail, and toppled headlong down the staircase. The dull thuds of his heavy body bouncing down the stairs were followed by stunned silence as everyone froze to the spot.