The Forgotten Family (4 page)

He sighed. Like his wife, he was reluctant to do anything to make Eleanor unhappy, and finding out that she was not their natural child would most certainly upset her. And he was quite happy to leave it for a while longer. He was a coward when it came to telling her. ‘Very well, but I will have a word with Nanny to make sure she doesn’t make the same slip again.’

‘That would be wise.’ Mary closed her eyes for a moment, and then opened them again, looking directly at her husband. ‘As you are aware, the doctors have given me only a few months to live, so by asking you to wait, I am leaving this burden with you.’

‘Doctors have been wrong, Mary. If you take life easy …’

‘No, my dear, we must face this. I have already stayed alive for longer than I thought possible, but I did so want to see our daughter grow into a woman, and she is almost there. In my bureau there is a box with all the details of Eleanor’s past family. You may give it to her when you feel the time is right, or burn it.’ She gave a tired smile. ‘I know you love our daughter, and will always do what is right for her, but I would like your promise that when the time comes, you will not leave her to face this alone. Stand by
her side, Albert, and support her, whatever she decides to do.’

‘I promise.’ Albert stood up. ‘Now you must rest, Mary. I’m sure you are worrying unnecessarily. We will
both
be here to look after her.’

Over the next week Ellie enjoyed the freedom of roaming the estate, riding Silver and visiting Uncle Henry. He had one child, a son two years younger than her, who was away at school.

She gave the horse over to the care of one of her uncle’s grooms after her ride, and bounced into the library to find him.

‘Hello, Eleanor.’ He glanced up from the letter he was writing. ‘Are you bored with nothing to do? This is the third visit this week.’

‘I never get bored.’ She sat down and grinned. ‘I’ve come with a message from Mother. She would like you to join us for dinner tonight. Father’s coming home.’

‘You may tell her that I would be delighted to come.’

‘Good. Have you heard from Philip this week?’

‘He’s returning tomorrow. He has been unhappy at that school and your father has suggested that the tutor he is engaging should teach both of you.’

‘What a splendid idea! Father is so sensible.’ Ellie giggled when her uncle pulled a face. ‘I don’t know what you have against him. I do believe you are afraid of him, Uncle Henry.’

‘You’ve never seen him in a rage. It is a frightening sight. I did something once he was furious about, and it’s not an experience I would wish to repeat.’

Settling back in the chair, Ellie rubbed her hands together in glee. ‘Do tell.’

He sighed, gazed at her intently for a while, and then gave a crooked smile. ‘It was a long time ago, and everything turned out well in the end.’

Disappointed, but not prepared to let the subject drop, she leant forward again. The past had been mentioned again, and she was beginning to get curious – more than curious really. ‘Have we got family skeletons, Uncle Henry?’

The look he gave her was wary. ‘No more than any other family. Why do you ask?’

‘Well, the other day, Nanny called me Queenie—’ She leapt to her feet as her uncle choked on a mouthful of whisky, and thumped him on the back. When he had recovered, she continued. ‘I asked Father who she had been talking about, and he said it was someone they’d known a long time ago, when I was a baby. Do you know who it was?’

‘I’m afraid I can’t help you there.’ He took a cautious sip of his drink, dismissing the subject.

But Ellie never gave up easily when she wanted to know something. There was a mystery here, and she found it intriguing. ‘Do you mean you can’t help, or that you won’t?’

‘Both.’

‘Uncle Henry,’ she said laughing, ‘all any of you are doing is making me more curious.’

‘Ah, and we know that’s a dangerous thing to do, don’t we?’

‘You’ll have to tell me one day.’

‘It isn’t anything important.’ He waved her away. ‘Now, be off with you, and thank your mother for the invitation.’

She stood up. ‘Don’t be late. Father likes to dine at eight-thirty, on the dot.’

‘I wouldn’t dare.’ He visibly shuddered.

She left the house, amusement showing on her face. The way her uncle had spoken about her father made him sound like a monster, but he wasn’t like that. He could be stern when it was needed, and with her that was often, but the rest of the time he was kind and understanding. He was patient with her, and gentle with her mother. She couldn’t wish for a better father.

As soon as she was in open country, she urged Silver into a gallop. Of course, she should have a groom with her, but that wasn’t necessary when she was so close to home. At least, she didn’t think so, but her father would have other ideas if he found out she had left the estate on her own. Still, Philip would soon be home, so she would have a companion for riding and lessons. It would be more fun with the two of them, and they got on well together. Philip’s mother had died when he had been born;
they were more like brother and sister, than cousins.

Bending low in the saddle, she urged, ‘Go girl.’ She hoped the tutor liked riding because she didn’t want to spend all her time indoors studying. Neither would Philip. He was a good rider, as well. Though not as good as her.

Albert was muttering irritably as he strode along the corridor towards his office in the Palace of Westminster. They had just wasted precious time on something of no importance, and it had left no time for his speech on improved education for the poor. This subject had been his passion long before Eleanor had arrived in his life; since then it had been an obsession. Some progress had been made over the last fifteen years, but not enough. One way to alleviate poverty was to give children, whatever their background, a decent education, thus equipping them to help themselves. Next on his campaign list was housing.

When he threw open the door and marched in, a young man leapt to his feet so violently that his spectacles slipped sideways. He straightened them at once.

‘And you are?’ Albert barked, still seething.

‘Stanley Rogers, sir. You asked me to meet you here at two o’clock. About the position of tutor to your daughter.’

‘Ah, yes, of course. I apologise for keeping you waiting. Please be seated.’

For the next hour, Albert questioned Mr Rogers with great care. His references were excellent, but did he have the temperament to deal with Eleanor? If the young man showed any weakness, she would have him running for
cover. His mouth twitched when he thought about his daughter. He couldn’t love her more if she had been his natural child.

He decided to see if Mr Rogers was easily frightened. ‘My daughter is strong-minded and has been expelled from two schools – the last one a finishing school of high repute – and she refuses to be turned into a lady. She is not tolerant of fools and will defend what she feels is right – with some force.’

Stanley Rogers didn’t even blink. ‘Then it would seem wise to continue her education at home, sir.’

‘I am of that opinion as well.’ Albert scrutinised the proposed tutor. He had interviewed five applicants so far, but he rather liked the look of this one. He was only twenty-five, but age was irrelevant in this case, character was the important factor in a tutor for Eleanor. He was tall, and rather too thin, and Albert’s first impression was of an ordinary-looking man, until you saw his grey eyes, magnified slightly by the spectacles. They shone with determination and intelligence. Albert was aware that he had also been assessed during the interview. Mr Rogers wasn’t going to take any chances, either. He admired that in the young man.

‘Are you married, Mr Rogers?’

‘No, sir. I would not contemplate marriage unless I was in a position to provide adequately for a wife and family.’

Sensible, as well. Albert had made up his mind. He wanted to engage him. ‘My daughter is seventeen and bright, showing great interest in the changes happening in this country. I also have a nephew who is two years
younger than her. He is unhappy away at school. Would you be prepared to teach them both?’

‘Yes, sir.’

No hesitation. ‘I must warn you that this might not be an easy task.’

‘I enjoy a challenge, sir.’ His grey eyes glittered at the prospect.

‘I shall, of course, pay you extra for the additional pupil.’ Albert stood up. ‘The position is yours if you think it would suit you. There is a small, but comfortable gatehouse you may live in while you are with us. If things work out, we shall need you for two years or more. My daughter will not require a tutor for long, but my nephew must have a good education so he can eventually take over the reins from his father.’

Stanley Rogers also rose to his feet. ‘That is very satisfactory. I look forward to working for you, Mr Warrender. I have your address in Kent, so when would you like me to start?’

‘As soon as you can. My daughter has, no doubt, been running wild this last week whilst I have been in London.’

Stanley smiled for the first time. ‘Would tomorrow afternoon be suitable?’

‘Perfect.’ Albert watched the new tutor walk out of the room, and felt sure he had made the right decision. Appearances could be deceptive, but he had a strong feeling that Eleanor would have to watch her manners around that young man.

His deep chuckle echoed around the empty room as he
remembered the little girl from the slums, whose vocabulary had been limited but colourful. It had taken them some time to stop her swearing. Eventually the past had been put behind her and forgotten. She had settled down to a happy life with them. He hoped it stayed that way and her past remained buried, but he knew that when she reached eighteen she should be told. There now seemed to be a danger of her finding out from some chance remark, and that would be intolerable. He had to be the one to break the news to her, but how he dreaded it.

‘You look lovely.’ Ellie’s mother nodded in approval. ‘That pale cream is perfect and brings out the golden tint of your hair.’

Ellie wriggled, pulling a face. ‘I dislike dressing up like this. Why do we have to wear so many clothes?’

Her mother’s smile was indulgent. ‘At least you have no need of stays. Your youthful figure is slender enough.’

‘I’m never going to lace myself into those abominations.’ Ellie lifted her hands in disgust. ‘When are women going to be sensible and wear clothes that are comfortable and easy to move around in? Did you hear that Mrs Dunsford was riding a bicycle and her skirt got caught in the wheel? She came off and broke her arm.’

‘I did hear, but what was our neighbour doing on one of those contraptions? With motor cars and bicycles it appears that the horse and carriage is not good enough. And some foolish men are even trying to fly!’

‘Oh, Mother.’ Ellie laughed at her bewilderment. ‘These are all exciting inventions.’

‘You may think so, Eleanor, but I much prefer to use the carriage.’ Mary walked over to the window. ‘Our guests are arriving. Come, we must not leave your father to greet them alone.’

Hurrying downstairs they managed to take their places just as the guests were announced. It was to be a small dinner party this evening with only three guests. One of them, Henry, had already arrived. The other two were Lord and Lady Douglas.

‘Allow me to introduce our daughter, Eleanor.’

Ellie stepped forward, curtsying as gracefully as she was able. It was not a skill she had ever mastered properly. She had never met the Douglas’s before, but they appeared pleasant enough. She spoke when spoken to, and never put a foot wrong to embarrass her parents. She was well aware that these were often occasions of political expediency for her father.

‘Are you not at school?’ Lady Douglas asked.

Before she could reply, her father said, ‘We have decided that Eleanor would benefit more from a private tutor. I have engaged a suitable man and he will be arriving tomorrow.’

Ellie made the mistake of glancing at her uncle, who gave her a wicked grin. With the utmost difficulty she managed to remain composed. He knew that her father had just saved her from having to admit that she had been expelled for fighting. Not that she cared what anyone thought of her, but she did care what people thought of her parents.

To her relief the dinner gong sounded and, as she turned to her father, she saw his mouth was twitching in
amusement. That was nearly her undoing. He didn’t care, either, but neither of them would upset her mother. Uncle Henry, holding out his arm to escort her to the dining room, saved her from a fit of the giggles.

During the meal her mother was talking to Lady Douglas about clothes, servants and things like that, but that was of no interest to Ellie, she was listening intently to the men airing their views on politics.

Noting her avid interest, Lord Douglas gave her a condescending smile. ‘And what do you think of this woman, Pankhurst, and her Women’s Social and Political Union?’

‘The WSPU.’ Ellie sat forward eagerly, but, before saying anything else, cast her father an enquiring look. When he inclined his head, giving her permission to speak freely, she continued. ‘I believe it’s a brave thing to do, and much needed. Times are changing fast. Women can no longer be confined to the home. They have brains and want more from life, and a say in the laws of the land. They would be an invaluable asset in politics, but I fear they have a long and hard battle in front of them.’

Lord Douglas looked surprised by her vehemence. ‘You have a daughter with strong opinions, Albert.’

‘I have always encouraged Eleanor to express her views. She has a lively interest in how our country is run.’

‘And run very efficiently by men. Can you imagine the mayhem if we allowed women to have the vote, and even stand for Parliament?’

‘Do you believe it would be detrimental to the good of the country, Eleanor?’ her father asked.

‘No, I don’t. Women live in the real world. They bring children up and deal with the hundred and one things that crop up daily. And it isn’t only the wealthy classes you need. It’s the ordinary women struggling to feed their families. They’re the ones who know the harsh realities of life, and what changes are needed. I believe it’s madness to exclude a whole section of society on the excuse that they are women.’

‘And are you intending to become one of these militant women?’

‘Oh, no, Lord Douglas, I leave politics to my father. He has liberal views.’

‘Indeed he has,’ Lord Douglas said wryly. ‘He would like to curb the power of the Lords.’

Albert sipped his wine, eyes shining with amusement. ‘And we shall succeed one day.’

‘And women will get the vote one day,’ Ellie stated confidently.

‘Ah, your daughter is just like you, Albert, but you will both have a fight on your hands.’

‘We love a good fight.’ They spoke at the same time, father and daughter smiling at each other.