A Loving Family (20 page)

Noakes opened the heavy oak door. ‘I'm sorry to see you go, Miss Rosa,' he said in a low voice. ‘I pray to God that Master Kit is successful. We're all depending on him.'

‘We're leaving,' Kit said, striding after them. ‘But this isn't farewell, Noakes. We will return, I promise you that.'

Noakes handed him his hat and cane. ‘We're relying on you, Master Kit.'

The carriage was waiting and Kit handed Rosa in first and then Stella. He gave her a concerned look. ‘Are you all right? You're very pale.'

It was the first time he had shown any genuine concern for her and she gazed at him in astonishment. ‘I'm quite well, thank you.'

Rosa pulled her into the carriage. ‘No she isn't, Kit. If you had any sensibility you'd see that she's upset. Mrs Kendall passed on some disturbing news.'

He climbed in and tapped the roof with his cane. ‘Drive on.' He took a seat opposite them. ‘What did she say?'

Rosa leaned towards him. ‘She said that Stella's mother acted as hostess to the wild parties that went on in the caves, and that a village girl lost her life during one of them. Mrs Kendall said that Jacinta left that night and hasn't been seen since.'

‘You're exaggerating as usual, Rosa.'

‘No, on my honour, it's true. Isn't it, Stella?'

‘It's what Mrs Kendall told us.'

‘Our uncle has disgraced the family name and I won't rest until he's shown up as the criminal he undoubtedly is.' Kit leaned back against the squabs, and once again his gaze rested on Stella. ‘I am truly sorry about your mother, but she's better off away from our uncle's clutches.'

‘We'll help you find her, Stella. We were always on your side,' Rosa said earnestly. ‘And now more than ever. Isn't that so, Kit?'

He reached out to take Stella's hand in his. ‘I've been so wrapped up in my own affairs that I haven't given your problems much thought, but things are going to be different from now on, Stella. We're all in this together.'

They arrived back in Fleur-de-Lis Street an hour later. Kit unlocked the front door. ‘I'm going straight to the courthouse,' he said, ushering Rosa and Stella inside. ‘I've been playing at being a lawyer so far, but things have to change if I'm to win this case.' He touched Stella lightly on the shoulder. ‘Don't worry. One way or another we'll find your mother, and oust my uncle from Heron Park at the same time.' He winked and flicked the brim of his top hat with his fingers. ‘Don't wait up for me, girls. I might not be home until the small hours.' He stepped out into the street, closing the door behind him.

‘I wish he would come home early for once,' Rosa said, sighing as she undid the ribbons on her bonnet. ‘I'm afraid he keeps bad company.'

Stella jumped at the sound of someone banging on the doorknocker. ‘Maybe he's forgotten something.' She opened the door and was pushed violently against the wall as Ronald burst into the house.

‘Where is she? I should have done away with the old witch years ago. Where is she? I'm going to kill her this time.'

‘Stop shouting,' Stella said angrily. ‘You ought to be grateful that we took her in.'

‘Grateful?' His voice rose to a high-pitched squeak. ‘She's put the finger on me. I've had a private detective poking his nose into my business.' He made as if to open the parlour door but Stella barred his way.

‘You're not going anywhere near her. She's improved while she's been here and I don't want you to frighten her out of her wits.'

‘She's intent on making trouble for me. I want her somewhere I can keep an eye on the old baggage.'

‘Go away or I'll call the police and you'll be in even worse trouble. I know what happened to my mother and you're to blame.'

He grabbed her by the throat. ‘I should have done the same with you.' He thrust her out of the way and wrenched the door open. ‘Come, Stepmother. I'm taking you home.'

Maud opened her eyes and screamed, sending Timmy spiralling up in the air to land at her feet with his fur standing on end and his claws sticking out like tiny stilettos. Stella recovered her balance and made a grab at Ronald but he pushed her away. ‘Get up, you pathetic creature. You're coming with me.'

Rosa rushed into the room, white-faced and trembling. ‘Leave her alone, you bully.'

‘He wants to take Maud away. He's mad, Rosa. Run and fetch a constable.'

Ronald rounded on them. ‘You'll do nothing of the sort. I'll snap the old girl's neck in two if you make so much as a move towards the door.' He turned to Maud and seized her by the shoulders, shaking her until her mobcap fell off and her grey hair tumbled about her shoulders in a tangled mass.

Stella picked up a stool and brought it crashing down on his back. He lurched forward but managed to regain his balance and he spun round with a howl of rage. He took a swing at her but she managed to dodge his fist. She put her head down and butted him in the stomach. This time he fell to the floor, winded and gasping for breath. Rosa fled from the room, screaming for help. Stella faced Ronald, forcing herself to appear calm when inwardly she was quaking. ‘Get up and get out of here, unless you want to explain to a constable why you were threatening three helpless women.'

Ronald staggered to his feet, clutching his belly. ‘You little bitch,' he gasped. ‘I haven't done with you yet, or her.' He jerked his head in Maud's direction but she had covered her face with her shawl and was sobbing hysterically. ‘I'll make you both suffer for this.'

‘Help! Police!' Rosa's voice floated in from the street.

Ronald lurched from the room, pushing past Stella, who stood her ground even though her knees were trembling. She could hear him swearing volubly, and then the front door banged and Rosa rushed into the room. ‘Are you all right, Stella?'

‘Yes, but he'll be back. He's a dangerous man.' Stella sank down on the nearest chair. ‘We've got to get Maud away from here. We can't watch her every minute of the day.'

Rosa hurried to Maud's side and gently drew back the shawl. ‘He's gone, Mrs Clifford. We won't let him harm you.'

Stella rose shakily to her feet. ‘We need to tell Kit what's happened and the archangel too. It was his investigation that led to this, Rosa. That's what alerted Ronald to the fact that we've discovered his illicit trade in human flesh. If I were a man I'd beat him to a pulp. I wonder how many women he's sold into virtual slavery.'

‘The law will deal with him,' Rosa said softly. ‘But in the meantime we must put our heads together and decide what's best for Mrs Clifford. She mustn't be upset like this.'

‘Poor Timmy,' Maud said, bending down to pick the cat up in her arms. ‘Did the nasty man frighten you?' She sat crooning and stroking the animal. ‘Is it nearly teatime, Jacinta? I'd like a slice of fruit cake and a cup of Earl Grey if it's no trouble.'

‘Of course, Aunt Maud. I'll go and put the kettle on.' Stella backed out of the room, beckoning to Rosa. ‘She's forgotten it already. Thank goodness for that, but I must get her away from here.'

‘Where would you take her?'

Stella thought for a moment. ‘Perhaps the convent would give her sanctuary until we can sort this mess out once and for all. Belinda will remember Aunt Maud, so maybe it would help her too.'

‘Always providing the nuns would be willing to take Maud in.'

‘There's only one way to find out.'

STELLA HAD NOT
thought to be back in Essex so quickly, but it was imperative to get Maud to a place of safety. She had no doubt that Ronald was now a desperate man and would carry out his threat to silence the person whose evidence could send him to prison for a very long time. Both Kit and the archangel had agreed that it was the best course of action and next day, with Rosa's help, Stella managed to get Maud to the station and they boarded the train which would take them to Romford. It took their combined efforts to keep Maud calm during the journey as she sat clutching the cat basket with an irate Timmy imprisoned inside.

If getting on the train had been difficult, getting off at their destination proved even more problematic. Maud had fallen asleep, aided by a generous tot of brandy which was administered in an attempt to calm her nerves, but Timmy had continued to howl, much to the annoyance of their fellow passengers. Rosa alighted onto the platform and held her hand up to take the basket, but Timmy had managed to get one paw through the wicker bars and was lashing out with the ferocity of a wild cat. Stella had awakened Maud and was attempting to get her onto the platform but they had become stuck in the doorway and could move neither backward nor forward.

‘May I be of assistance, ladies?'

Stella craned her neck. She knew that voice, and over the top of Maud's head she saw Tommy Langhorne. He took the basket from Rosa and dumped Timmy unceremoniously on the platform. ‘He's a lively little devil,' he said cheerfully. ‘Now, may I help you?' He looked up and his smile broadened into a wide grin. ‘By all that's wonderful, it's Stella.' He put his arms around Maud and lifted her bodily from the carriage. ‘I'd say you've got your hands full, old thing.'

She climbed down, hefting Maud's valise to the ground. ‘Hello, Tommy.'

‘I'd raise my hat,' he said, struggling beneath Maud's weight. ‘But my hands are rather full at the moment. What would you like me to do with the lady?'

Rosa stifled a giggle. ‘I don't know who you are, sir, but you came along at just the right moment.'

He clicked his heels together. ‘Tommy Langhorne at your service, Miss – er . . .'

Stella remembered her manners. ‘Rosa, may I introduce Tommy Langhorne of Portgone Place? Tommy, this is my good friend Rosa Rivenhall, of Heron Park, Highgate.'

Rosa's blue eyes danced with merriment as she bobbed a curtsey. ‘How do you do, sir? My friend should have said that I am late of Heron Park, Highgate. Due to unfortunate circumstances my brother and I now reside in the East End of London.'

‘Dashed sorry to hear it, Miss Rivenhall.' Tommy shifted Maud in his arms. ‘The dear lady appears to have dozed off and she's a dead weight. Where are you headed for, Stella?'

‘We'll hire a cab, Master Tommy. Would you be kind enough to help us to the station forecourt?'

‘Delighted, but there's no need for the deferential treatment, Stella. Just Tommy will suit me very well indeed.' He started to walk in the direction of the ticket hall. ‘You didn't say where you were going. My carriage is outside; may I give you a lift?'

Rosa nodded vigorously, ignoring Stella's warning frown. ‘That would be very kind.'

‘We don't want to put you to any trouble,' Stella said firmly. ‘A cab will do nicely.'

But the last cab had already been hired and it had begun to rain. Tommy signalled to his coachman, who leapt from the box and opened the carriage door. Stella and Rosa climbed inside and after a brief struggle they managed to get Maud onto the seat between them. ‘Where to, old thing?' Tommy asked as he prepared to follow them into the carriage. ‘Must give the coachman some idea where we're headed.'

‘St Cecilia's convent.'

‘Right you are.' Tommy passed the information on to the coachman and took a seat opposite them, carefully avoiding Timmy's claws as the cat continued his struggle to free himself from the basket. ‘Jolly good thing I was here seeing off an old chum from Cambridge. Decided not to go back there this term, and might not go back at all. Not the studious type. Much prefer the life of a country gentleman.'

‘You always were lazy,' Stella said, smiling. ‘He's rather fond of seducing servant girls too, I must warn you, Rosa.'

‘I say, that's below the belt.' Tommy had the grace to blush. ‘That was a single incident and I was tempted by a pair of rather fine dark eyes, as I recall.'

Rosa looked from one to the other. ‘Really? You kept that very quiet, Stella.'

‘He got me sacked. Tommy is a bad boy. We've known each other since we were children, so don't allow yourself to be taken in by his outward show of charm.'

Tommy leaned back against the leather squabs. ‘I'm a reformed character now. Almost pious enough to take holy orders – Papa even suggested that I should consider going in for the church. What a laugh, Stella.'

‘Very comical,' she agreed. ‘So how do you pass the time these days?'

He shrugged his shoulders. ‘Oh, a bit of this and a bit of that. Can't wait for the shooting season to start. Do a bit of fishing, and – dash it, Stella. Let's not talk about me. What have you been doing since you left Portgone Place? I must say I wish you were still cooking for us. Old Mrs Hawthorne's getting more prickly by the day.' He chuckled at his own joke. ‘D'you get my meaning?'

‘Yes, very funny. You always were a wit.' Stella relaxed as much as she was able with Maud's head lolling against her shoulder. Rosa was smiling at Tommy in a way that alerted Stella immediately to danger. Tommy's undoubted good looks were having their effect, and she did not want to see her friend falling for a young man who might break her heart. ‘This is very good of you, Tommy,' she said hastily. ‘We're hoping that the nuns will take Aunt Maud for a short stay.'

Tommy eyed Maud curiously. ‘Is the old girl a bit loony? Not dangerous, is she?'

Rosa giggled. ‘Are you scared of her, Tommy?'

‘Good heavens, no. I just wondered why you were considering leaving the poor old soul in a nunnery. What's been going on since you left us, Stella?'

She gave him a brief outline of everything that had occurred since her sudden departure from Portgone Place.

‘Well,' he said when she paused for breath. ‘What a tale. I've led such a dull life compared to yours, Stella my girl. What next, eh?'