The Forgotten Family (23 page)

She had been told to remain in the house, but she just couldn’t do that, it was asking too much. It would be all right if she stayed on the estate, wouldn’t it? And the orchards were part of the estate, weren’t they? Yes, of course they were. Her father surely wouldn’t object to her visiting Ted.

Having convinced herself that this would be all right, she changed into her riding clothes and hurried to the stables, breathing in the fresh air with relief. She hated staying indoors, always had.

‘Will you saddle my horse for me, please.’

The stable lad looked uncomfortable, glancing round anxiously.

The head groom came up to them. ‘Where do you wish to go, Miss? Only we have instructions from Mr Warrender that you must be accompanied at all times, and not to pass beyond the estate gates.’ He smiled apologetically.

Ellie was mortified, and her hands clenched into tight fists. How could he do this to her? He was treating her like a small child instead of a young woman. Not wishing the servants to witness her mood, she turned and walked back to the house without saying a word, being careful to keep her head up. The realisation that her father was
this
angry with her was tearing her apart. She couldn’t live like this. She would have to make him listen to her, and she would confront him as soon as he returned. But first, she had to find a way to see Ted.

Returning to her room, she wrote a short note and put it in the purse with the money. Then she made her way up to the schoolroom and waited outside the door for Philip.

It was nearly an hour before he came out. Grabbing his arm she pulled him along the passage to an empty room.

‘What are you doing, Ellie?’ he protested.

‘Shush.’ Pushing him in, she closed the door behind them. ‘I need you to do something for me, and I don’t want anyone to know.’

‘What are you up to? You’re already in enough trouble, and now you’re going to get me into trouble as well, I just know it.’ He gave a resigned sigh. ‘You’d better tell me quickly, I’ve only got fifteen minutes.’

Ellie explained about her talk with Hilda, and handed him the purse. ‘Give this to Ted on your way home. There’s a note inside, but will you ask him to come and see me as soon as possible. Tell him it’s urgent.’

Philip put the little purse in his pocket. ‘That was a very foolish thing you did, Ellie, and I’m not surprised your father is furious. But I’ll see Ted today and give him your message.

‘Thanks, Philip.’

‘Do stop pacing around, James.’ Augusta glanced at her restless son. ‘Whatever is the matter with you?’

‘Do you think Eleanor’s all right?’ He sat opposite his mother. ‘Joshua never said why they’d had to return home so suddenly.’

‘I’m sure he would have told us if she had been unwell. I expect it was a crisis at the estate.’

‘Then why didn’t Mr Warrender leave Eleanor here? She could have stayed with us for a few days.’

Augusta folded the newspaper she had been attempting to read, placing it on the small table beside her. ‘What are your intentions towards Eleanor, James?’

‘Pardon?’

‘You know what I’m talking about. It’s obvious that you like her, but it seems that your feelings may go deeper.’

He stretched his long legs out in front of him, his expression thoughtful. ‘She’s unconventional, opinionated, speaks her mind without caring what others may think of her, but I do admit to finding her appealing. Under that boisterous, outgoing nature, there is a sharp intellect. But she’s hardly good wife material. A man would never know what she was going to do, or say, next.’

Augusta laughed. ‘That’s true, but she is also a loving and caring girl, and life with her would never be dull.’

‘I’m not sure if I could stand the strain.’ James pursed his lips. ‘Do I take it that you would approve of her as a daughter-in-law, regardless of her background, and the strange family she is gathering around her?’

‘She’s been brought up as the daughter of Albert Warrender, a part of a highly respected and influential family. The circumstances of her birth are unimportant.’

‘That’s true, and I’m sure she will have many suitors in the coming months, if they can get past her father.’ He laughed. ‘I’m not sure how I feel about her, but I am concerned for her welfare as a friend.’

‘Of course.’ Augusta picked up her newspaper again. ‘Why don’t you go to Kent tomorrow and see if she’s all right?’

James nodded. ‘I’ll go first thing in the morning.’

It was evening before Ted arrived to see Ellie. She saw him from the window and rushed out to meet him, wanting to talk to her brother in private. She slipped a hand through his arm. ‘Let’s walk in the garden.’

‘It’s nearly dark, and there’s a cold wind blowing, so wouldn’t you prefer to go indoors?’

‘Just ten minutes, Ted, then we’ll go in.’

He frowned. ‘Philip gave me your message and the purse. I haven’t opened it, but there seems to be money inside, so what is this all about?’

Ellie then explained about her visit to Whitechapel, and how it had angered her father.

Ted stopped by the pond, shaking his head. ‘I’m not surprised. That wasn’t a very sensible thing to do, was it?’

‘I can see that now, but I just didn’t think.’ She pulled a face. ‘That’s a very bad trait of mine, but I want to find Harry so much. However, it wasn’t a wasted visit, because I had a long talk with Hilda.’

Ellie then related her conversation in detail. When she’d finished, Ted cursed under his breath. ‘Why the hell didn’t she tell us at the time? It would have saved a lot of trouble, and Harry might not have walked out.’

‘I think she was afraid and didn’t want to show that she cared. She told me it would have been a sign of weakness.’

‘We had no idea things were so bad.’ Ted’s expression was sad. ‘I know she was terrified of the workhouse – everyone was.’

They began to walk back to the house. ‘I promised to take her some money, but I can’t do that now. I know it’s asking a lot of you, but would you take it for me?’

‘I’ve got a day off tomorrow, so I’ll go then.’

‘Thank you; there’s one more request from your mother. She would like to see you, Jack, Pearl and Maggie. I think she’s lonely, Ted.’

‘I’ll see everyone while I’m in London, and it will be up to them if they want to see Mum and Dad again, but
I certainly will.’ He slanted his sister a doubtful glance. ‘Does your father know what you’re doing?’

Ellie shook her head. ‘No, he won’t even listen to me, and I would appreciate it if you didn’t say anything at the moment. This news will have to come from me, and I’m not looking forward to telling him.’

‘But you will?’

‘Of course, Ted. I’ve never kept secrets from him, and I don’t intend to start now. But I must choose my time with great care.’

It was just the kind of crisp morning Ellie loved. There was frost on the grass, but the sun was rising in a clear sky and would soon melt the sparkling droplets of ice. She gazed out of the bedroom window, drinking in the beauty. Her father would release her from the restrictions today, she was sure. He had never been angry with her for long.

Buoyant with fresh hope, she made for the dining room. Her father was already there, drinking tea and sorting through his correspondence.

He looked up when she entered. ‘Good morning, Eleanor, did you sleep well?’

‘Yes, thank you, Father.’ She smiled as she filled her plate with a little from every dish. She was starving. He
was
in a much better mood, she could tell from the tone of his voice. ‘Isn’t it a beautiful morning?’

‘Is it? I really haven’t noticed.’

She nodded, mouth full of creamy scrambled eggs. After swallowing, she decided that this was the right time to talk
to him, but she proceeded with care. ‘What are you going to do today?’

‘I’ll be busy checking that we have everything for the animals should we get snowed in at any time.’ He drained his cup and stood up.

Ellie put down her knife and fork. ‘May I help you? I know what needs doing at this time of the year.’

‘I can manage, Eleanor.’

As he left the room, she jumped to her feet and rushed after him, leaving her shoes behind. ‘But what am I to do? I am not someone content to sit in idleness. I never have been, Father, you know that. I have no skill with a needle, cannot draw, and have no musical talent. Let me do something. I’ll clean the stables, or scrub out the pigsty … anything! Please … please …’

Stopping, he spun round. ‘That’s enough. Come to my study.’

She padded along after him, feeling utterly wretched. He didn’t love her any more, and she couldn’t live like this. ‘Perhaps Mrs Montague would take me in, or I could go and live with Ted?’

‘What are you talking about?’

It was only when she saw her father’s puzzled expression that she realised she had spoken her thoughts out loud. ‘It seems I am a great disappointment to you, and you no longer care for me. I was wondering who would be prepared to give me a home.’

‘Now you’re being silly—’

‘No, I’m not.’ She was, of course. He would never want her to leave, but she was swamped with remorse. ‘You are
ashamed of me, and I cannot bear that. You were hoping I would grow into a lady, but that hasn’t happened. I am impetuous, do not abide by the rules, speak my mind and do things without considering the consequences. That’s how I am.’ She tapped her chest. ‘Deep down inside I am Queenie Bonner, and money, privilege, and some of the best schools have not been able to erase that from me …’

‘Tell me what happened at Whitechapel.’

‘Pardon.’ She was so lost in misery that the sudden change of subject threw her for a moment.

They were standing facing each other, too tense to sit down.

‘Tell me what happened.’

Relieved that he was going to listen to her at last, the story tumbled out. When she’d finished she dragged in a deep breath. ‘I told Ted, and he said they never knew they were in danger of ending up in the workhouse. He’s going to tell Pearl, Jack, and Maggie, then go and see his parents.’

‘And you believed Hilda Bonner?’

‘Yes, I did. I had the impression that she’s very lonely now all her children have left home.’ She set herself firmly on her two feet, bracing for the onslaught of fury she guessed would come. ‘And I’ve given Ted some money to take to her.’

‘How much did you send?’

‘Four pounds. It was all I had. No one should have to live like that.’

‘I agree. Does Fred Bonner have a job?’

Ellie shook her head.

‘Leave it with me, I’ll see what I can do.’

Her mouth opened in surprise, then snapped shut again as her father continued speaking. ‘What you did, Eleanor, was not only foolhardy, it was highly dangerous.’

‘I wasn’t in any danger, the cab driver stayed with me all the time.’ She could have bitten her tongue off when she saw his eyes blaze. Why couldn’t she learn to keep quiet?

‘At the first sign of trouble he’d have driven off as fast as he could. He might have called a constable, but it would have been too late then.’ Albert held his daughter’s gaze. ‘Eleanor, it is well known that we are a wealthy family. Someone could have kept you against your will and demanded money for your return.’

‘Oh, Father, surely not? You’re no longer in parliament.’ Ellie was horrified. This kind of thing had never entered her head.

‘No, but it’s no secret that I have been asked to return. Some don’t like my liberal views. But, putting that aside, there are criminals around who, seeing you on your own, could have snatched you, making you tell them your name. In that case I might never have seen you again.’

The colour drained from Ellie’s face as the possible consequences of her actions dawned on her. ‘I have been very foolish, haven’t I?’

‘I’m relieved you have seen that at last. It is all right to be unaccompanied around the estate, but never in London, Eleanor. When I found you were missing I was very frightened for you.’

‘I won’t ever do that again, I promise. And I won’t read anything belonging to someone else, even if it has been thrown away.’ How stupid, Ellie silently berated herself.
How could she have caused her father such distress? ‘I am so sorry,’ she whispered.

‘Then you are forgiven,’ he said gently. ‘Don’t look so surprised, Eleanor. I do understand. I’m not that much of a monster, am I?’

She shook her head, finding it hard to stand still. He had forgiven her all her misdemeanours, and it sounded as if he was thinking of returning to politics. She was pleased about that.

‘Good, and there will be no more foolish talk about leaving home?’

Her head went from side to side again. ‘I couldn’t have done that anyway; that was my unhappiness talking. How could I leave you and Nanny?’

‘I am pleased to hear that. Now, go and change into your riding clothes. We have a lot to do today.’

Ellie was almost bursting with joy, making her cry out with delight. She spun round and ran for the door. Hearing her father’s deep chuckle, she hurtled back, threw her arms around his waist and hugged with all her might, then she was off again.’

‘Eleanor! Shoes.’

‘Whoops.’ She looked down at her bare feet, laughing with delight. Everything was back to normal.

Albert was feeling exactly the same. He’d painted an exaggerated picture of what might have happened to her, but he’d needed to frighten her a little in order to make her understand. She was far too trusting, and while that was an appealing trait, she had to learn when to be cautious. That
tale about political enemies had been pure fabrication, though. He knew he wasn’t liked in some circles for his outspoken views, but that was the game of politics. They all indulged in insults, and the next minute they were sharing a drink. But the point he had been making had got through to her, and that was a relief. He hated being stern with her, but it was something he’d had to do quite often. She had a lovely nature – kind and giving – but it was as if she only saw the best in everyone.

He strode out of the house, his booted heels ringing on the stone path, as he headed for the stables.

The horses were ready when he heard one of the grooms smother a laugh. He looked up to see his daughter running full pelt towards them, a huge smile on her face. A lady she certainly wasn’t, but he loved her just the way she was.

She skidded to a halt beside him, not even out of breath. ‘Where are we going first?’

He swung himself into the saddle, gazing down at her. ‘I think you mentioned a pigsty?’

With a gurgle of amusement, she mounted and they rode out – father and daughter in complete harmony again.