The Forgotten Family (13 page)

Resting her head on her knees, she prayed that he would survive the night and she would have the chance to get to know her eldest brother.

The next two days were critical as Ted fought a fever but, much to everyone’s relief, on the third day he awoke cool and hungry. Ellie’s relief was enormous when the doctor announced that he was out of danger. She had stayed with Ted as much as possible; her father had insisted that she carry on with her lessons, but once they were over he had made no protest about her sitting by her brother’s bedside. She had talked to Ted, telling him about her childhood in this beautiful place, though she doubted that he had heard her. Mr Rogers and Philip had also been very kind by visiting, and Ellie was convinced that having people around talking to him had helped with his recovery. Once the fever had broken, her tutor had spent more time with him, and they seemed to be very friendly with each other. Ellie was pleased, for Mr Rogers was a steady, sensible man, and Ted
needed a friend to help him through this awful time.

Ellie had ridden over to see Ted on Sunday morning. Ted, knowing his brother and sister were coming, insisted on getting up, although he was still very weak. With Alan’s help he dressed in new clothes her father had ordered for him. She could see from the good bone structure that he was a striking looking man, with dark blonde hair and bright blue eyes. And now the eyes were no longer clouded with drink and sickness there was evidence of a sharp intelligence behind the gaze.

‘Ah, good to see you up.’ Henry strode in with Philip right behind him. ‘Eleanor, I have sent word to your father that he is to bring Ted’s family here when they arrive. This young man is still not fit enough to travel, even though the journey to your home is short, so we’ll dine here. Philip, help Mr Bonner down the stairs and into the library. It isn’t far, do you think you can make it?’ he asked Ted.

Ted nodded, holding firmly to Philip for support. ‘I will stay up for as long as possible. I can’t thank you enough for your kindness, sir. I will find a way to repay you for your trouble and expense, for I should certainly have died without the care given to me.’

‘Think nothing of it.’ Henry waved away the expression of gratitude. ‘Only too pleased you are still with us. Thought we were going to lose you once or twice.’

‘Come on, Mr Bonner.’ Philip held Ted as he took a couple of tentative steps forward. ‘You lean on me and take your time.’

That made Ellie grin, for Philip was half the size of the man he was supporting. At fourteen he wasn’t very
tall, but he would probably shoot up all of a sudden. She followed the slow progress down the stairs, across the yard to the main house. Her heart was full of affection for her uncle. Although he had made it clear that he disapproved of her father inviting Jack, Pearl and her family to visit, he had, nevertheless, opened his home to them.

They eventually reached the library, and Ted sat down, giving a ragged sigh of relief.

The maid entered with a tray of tea, placed it on a table, and served each one of them. Her name was Dorothy, and Ellie didn’t miss the tender look she gave Ted as she handed him a cup. This girl had been the one to see that Ted had everything he needed, showing the utmost concern for his well-being.

‘Thank you, Dorothy.’ Ted smiled, and it transformed him.

Ellie caught her breath. Oh, yes, this forgotten brother was special. Uncle Henry was also studying him with a thoughtful expression in his eyes.

‘My pleasure, sir.’ Dorothy flushed slightly.

‘You don’t have to call me “sir”.’ Ted grimaced at the unusual deference he was receiving from the staff.

The maid didn’t say anything; she busied herself with her job, a little smile still on her face. When they had all been served, she turned to Henry. ‘Will that be all, sir?’

‘For the moment, but we shall need more refreshments when our other guests arrive.’

‘I’ll see to it, sir.’ With another quick glance at Ted, she left the room.

They had just finished their tea when Philip leapt to his feet at the sound of the carriage pulling up outside. ‘They’re here. Uncle Albert’s brought Mr Rogers along as well.’

Henry sighed, gazing up at the ceiling in mock despair. ‘We might as  well have everyone here, I suppose.’

Laughing, Ellie slipped her hand through his arm. ‘You do pretend to be such an ogre, Uncle Henry, but you are really so kind and gentle.’

Philip looked at Ellie as if she had gone mad, but wisely said nothing. Shaking his head in disbelief at hearing his father described thus, he helped Ted to his feet ready to greet his family.

Pearl was the first through the door, making straight for her brother. ‘Ted, are you all right? Should you be out of bed? Mr Warrender has explained that you have been dreadfully ill.’

‘I’m much better now.’ He held out his arms to his sister. ‘They saved my life, Pearl. I’ve been a fool, but that’s all over now.’

‘I’m glad to hear that.’ Jack went to him, obviously relieved to see his brother.

Dave followed, carrying the baby. ‘Ah, it’s good to see you on the road to recovery.’

Ellie hadn’t known how she would feel seeing them again, but she was delighted and greeted them with real affection. ‘Come and meet my Uncle Henry and his son, Philip.’

When the introductions were over, the maid appeared as if by magic, with refreshments.

Henry studied the baby doubtfully. ‘Would you permit
my maid to look after the baby for you?’ he asked Pearl. ‘She’s good with children and will see he is fed and entertained.’

Pearl hesitated.

‘He’ll come to no harm with Dorothy,’ Ted assured his sister.

When the maid reached for Jimmy, talking happily to him, he went without protest, and Pearl nodded in agreement.

‘Splendid.’ Henry couldn’t hide his relief. ‘You may return him after we have dined. Philip, go with Dorothy and find the baby some toys to play with. The nursery is still full of them, I believe.’

As soon as they left the room, Pearl grinned at Ellie. ‘We all went to see Nanny before we came here. I can’t believe it. You’ve lived in that beautiful house, and had a nanny to look after you.’

‘What did you think of her?’ Ellie was well aware that her world was a very different one from theirs, but she couldn’t detect any resentment, only avid interest.

‘Oh, she’s so sweet.’

That made Ellie laugh. ‘I wouldn’t call her that. She can be very stern, but I love her dearly.’

Pearl lent close to Ellie’s ear. ‘And now you’ve got a private teacher. He’s very nice, by the way, and see how he’s talking to Ted. They seem to like each other.’

‘I think they do. He spent some evenings with Ted as his health improved. I saw them once scribbling all over bits of paper doing sums of some kind. I couldn’t understand any of it.’

The girls stopped their conversation at the sound of Jack’s voice.

‘You have a magnificent house, sir.’ Jack was gazing round the comfortable room in appreciation. ‘Have you read all these books?’

‘Every one. Do you like to read?’

‘Very much. I’ll read anything and everything.’

‘Really?’ Henry, whose greatest pleasure in life was books, beamed with pleasure. ‘You must have a look and find yourself a couple to take home with you.’

Jack’s eyes opened wide in surprise. ‘I couldn’t do that, sir, they’re all leather-bound and must be expensive.’

‘I insist. I’m sure you’ll look after them, and you can always return them after you’ve read them.’ Henry led Jack over to the shelves. ‘Tell me what kind of authors you enjoy.’

Dave grinned and said to his wife, ‘Jack thinks he’s in paradise surrounded by all these books.’

‘And our tutor tells me that he considers Ted to be very clever with figures,’ Albert said as he joined them. ‘He is of the opinion that he should have attended university, and would probably have been a mathematician of note.’

‘Oh, sir –’ Pearl shrugged her shoulders – ‘the likes of us don’t get no chance to go to schools like that. In fact, some don’t even go to school. At least our mum was strict about that an’ made us all go to school for as long as we could. We know Ted wanted to carry on with his learning, but they chucked us all out at fourteen, some left at twelve.’

‘I hope one day that things will change and everyone will have the opportunity for higher education, depending
upon their ability and not their circumstances in life.’ Albert frowned, looking across at Ted.

‘My father was a Member of Parliament and fought hard for the reform of the educational system.’ Ellie looked proudly at her father.  ‘And when our period of mourning is over, I hope he will take up his seat again.’

‘It’s nice to know someone cares.’ Dave slipped an arm around his wife’s shoulder. ‘The Bonners are a clever lot, but it ain’t easy to drag yourself out of the slums. A lot of people think that just because you’re poor, you’re daft as well. But we’re doing all right for ourselves, aren’t we, duckie?’

‘You certainly are.’ Albert nodded in approval. ‘You have your shop, are prepared to work hard, and have a very pleasant home. You have much to be proud of.’

‘Thank you, sir.’ Pearl glowed at the compliment. ‘We was all determined not to live like our mum and dad. That kind of life can make you bitter.’

At that moment the dinner gong sounded and Henry came over with Jack. ‘This man knows his books. A pleasure to talk to someone who is so knowledgeable.’

Ted joined them, being helped by Philip and Mr Rogers. ‘Jack has had his nose stuck in books from the moment he could toddle.’

‘Nothing wrong with that.’ Henry clearly approved. ‘Now, let us go to the dining room. I’m quite famished.

By three o’clock Ted needed to return to bed. Seeing that he was grey with exhaustion, Jack and Dave hauled him to his feet.

‘I’ll show you the way.’ Philip had become quite eager
to help Ellie’s brother, and had been bombarding Pearl and Jack with questions about their life.

Taking a couple of deep, steadying breaths, Ted shook hands with Albert and Henry. ‘Thank you for allowing my family to come here. It’s been good to see them.’

‘It has been a pleasure.’ Henry really looked as if it had been. ‘Now, you must get back to bed. Mustn’t overdo it at first.’

After saying goodbye to the others, Ted placed an arm around Ellie, then bent to kiss her cheek, too tired to speak any more.

‘As soon as they come back, we must leave as well.’ Pearl was holding Jimmy on her lap, who was clutching a soft toy rabbit. ‘You like that, don’t you? But you must be a good boy an’ leave it behind, because it belongs to Philip. He’s nice, isn’t he? You mustn’t keep his things.’

‘I don’t want it. He can keep it.’ Philip bounced back into the room.

‘We couldn’t do that.’ Pearl shook her head. ‘That’s very kind of you, Philip, but it is an expensive toy.’

‘I insist.’ He sounded very like his father as he sat next to Pearl and tickled Jimmy, making him shriek with glee. ‘I’m too old for toys. I’m fifteen.’

‘Really, that old?’ Pearl teased. ‘In that case you might like to keep it for your own children.’

Philip looked horrified. ‘I’m not going to marry for ages – if ever – so Jimmy can keep the rabbit.’

‘Sir?’ Pearl caught Henry’s attention. ‘I’m sure it isn’t right for your son to give this away.’ She tried to prise the toy out of her son’s hands, only to be greeted with a howl of protest.

‘It’s quite all right; let your little boy keep it. It’s been lying around in the nursery for years now.’

‘Well … if you’re sure.’ Pearl had no chance of further protest, as the others then returned.

‘He’s tucked up nice and comfortable,’ Jack told them.

‘We must be going, Dave, or we’ll miss our train, and Jimmy’s had such an exciting day. He’s tired out.’ The baby was fast asleep, but still had a firm grip on the precious toy.

Henry ordered the carriage to take them to the station, and after fulsome thanks for a wonderful day, and for looking after their brother so well, they left. At Henry’s insistence, Jack had three books tucked under his arm. Mr Rogers went with them to see that they caught the train safely.

After waving goodbye, Ellie, Philip, her father and uncle went back to the library.

Ellie was delighted, the day had been a huge success, and she was sure it had done Ted good to see everyone.

‘What did you think of them, Henry?’ Albert took a glass of brandy from him.

‘Surprising.’ Henry swished his drink around the glass, thoughtfully. ‘They are not at all what I expected. They are polite, but there’s a fierce pride about them. They don’t want charity. Whatever they manage to accomplish in life, they are going to do it on their own.’

‘That was my impression. But they are related to Eleanor, so we shouldn’t be surprised. And what is your opinion of Ted?’

‘Damned if I can decide. He has the family look, but that is as far as it goes. He’s sensitive, thinks deeply, and
it’s hard to gauge what’s going on behind those sharp eyes.’ Henry shrugged. ‘I’m not sure about him. I’ll reserve judgement until I know him better.’

‘We should have the opportunity to do that, because he can’t leave here for some time.’

‘Hmm.’ Henry sipped his drink. ‘I don’t think he should go back to London.’

Ellie listened to them talking, almost holding her breath. Were they thinking of helping Ted once he was fit again? He had nowhere else to go, except to Pearl or Jack, and their houses were hardly big enough to take lodgers.

‘I agree. If he stays sober I’ll see if I can find a position for him somewhere around here.’

‘I think they’re all nice.’ Philip’s face was shining, having thoroughly enjoyed the day with their visitors. ‘Do you think the rest of your brothers and sisters will be like that, Ellie?’

‘I really don’t know. They are all bound to be different. That’s if we can find them.’

‘I have a man coming to see me tomorrow morning,’ her father told her. ‘He’s highly recommended, and is reputed to be good at finding people.’

‘May I meet him as well, Father?’ Ellie was pleased her father had arranged this so soon, for she didn’t want to waste any time finding the others. Christmas would soon be here and she wanted it over with by then. Because of their loss, the festive season would be sad and very quiet this year, but it would be a comfort to know her family had been found.