A Place Called Home (8 page)

‘What in heaven's name is going on?' Sir William's angry voice echoed round the entrance hall. He marched down the wide staircase, glaring angrily at Bedwin. ‘What's the meaning of this?'

Bedwin released Lucy. ‘I caught her trying to leave the house, sir.' He turned to the footman, who was still running round in circles trying to grab Peckham. ‘Stop that, James.'

Sir William descended slowly, coming to a halt by Lucy, who had dropped to her knees and was holding Peckham in a protective embrace. ‘You shouldn't have locked him up with them big dogs,' she said angrily. ‘He's only little and he was scared.'

James muttered something beneath his breath and received a reproving glance from his superior. ‘Go about your duties, James,' Bedwin said icily. He turned to his master with an apologetic smile. ‘I'm very sorry for the disturbance, Sir William. It won't happen again.'

‘No, it won't,' Lucy said, finding her voice. ‘You can't keep me locked up, mister. I ain't your long lost granddaughter, and even if I am, I don't want to live here. I want Granny.' She stifled a sob, burying her face in Peckham's furry coat. He smelled different now that he had been bathed, but his warm body was comforting and he belonged to her.

‘Get up, child,' Sir William said impatiently. ‘You're going nowhere. You were present when I made the arrangement with your grandmother, and she agreed that your needs would be best suited if you lived with me.'

She looked up, blinking back tears. ‘I don't belong here. I want to go back to Hairbrine Court.'

Bedwin sucked air in through the gaps in his teeth, but he remained standing to attention, saying nothing.

‘Go to your room, Lucy,' Sir William said firmly. ‘Of course it will seem strange at first, but you will settle down in time. Tomorrow I will advertise for a governess and you will learn to be a young lady, as befits my son's child.'

Bedwin helped Lucy to her feet and she did not resist, but she held onto the dog as if her life depended upon it. ‘I want me nana,' she muttered rebelliously.

‘Your accent is dreadful and your grammar is appalling,' Sir William said coldly. ‘But I am not a hard man. You may keep the dog with you, but you will be responsible for taking the creature for walks. James will accompany you to the park at all times, and if you make any attempt to run away the dog will be taken from you and destroyed. Do you understand what I'm saying?'

Lucy nodded wordlessly. The threat on Peckham's life was more frightening than anything they could do to her.

‘Answer me, child. You are not a mute.'

‘I understand, mister.'

‘You will address me as Grandpapa.'

‘Yes, Grandpapa.'

‘That's better. James, take Miss Lucy to her room and lock the door.' Sir William held his hand up as Lucy opened her mouth to protest. ‘You will remain so until I'm certain that you are ready to obey me.' He turned on his heel and ascended the stairs.

That night Lucy slept with Peckham curled up beside her. She was awakened next morning by the sound of the key turning in the lock. Peckham leapt off the bed and stood by the door, hackles raised. Susan burst in carrying a jug of warm water. ‘Keep that bloody mongrel away from me,' she said, eyeing him nervously as she made her way to the wash stand. ‘If he bites me I'll tell Mr Bedwin and he'll have him put down. I don't like dogs.'

Lucy sat up in bed. ‘He doesn't seem to like you either, so it's tit for tat, ain't it?'

‘You'll get your comeuppance, guttersnipe. The master will realise his mistake soon enough and then you'll be back on the streets where you belong.' Susan slopped the hot water into the wash bowl and thumped the jug down. ‘Get up and get dressed. I ain't no lady's maid.'

‘I don't want to be here,' Lucy said, holding her arms out to Peckham as he leapt back onto her bed. ‘If you'll help me I could be out of here and away afore anyone realises what's happened.'

‘I'd be dismissed without a character. I suppose you'd like that, you little monster.' Susan made for the door. ‘Looks like we're stuck with each other. I don't like it any more than you do.' She left the room, slamming the door behind her, and the key grated in the lock.

Outside the sun was shining with the promise of a fine day ahead. Lucy got up and went to look out of the window in an attempt to get her bearings. The street below was quiet and orderly by comparison with the hustle of the East End. A crossing sweeper was busy at work, clearing the straw and horse dung so that ladies could negotiate the streets without getting their skirts soiled, and gentlemen did not muddy their shiny shoes. Private carriages vied with hansom cabs and there was not a costermonger's barrow to be seen. Lucy had hoped that her grandmother might have had a change of heart. She searched the well-dressed crowds that thronged the pavements for a sign of her, but she was nowhere to be seen. It was hard to believe that Granny could have abandoned her, or that she had quite literally sold her for fifteen pounds. Surely she would regret her decision and return one day, saying it had all been a terrible mistake.

Lucy turned with a start as the door opened and Mrs Hodges marched in. ‘Why aren't you dressed, child? Have you had a wash?'

‘I had a bath yesterday, and it's only April. I'll catch me death of cold if I keep washing meself.'

‘Stuff and nonsense. I never heard such silly talk. We keep clean in this household, Miss Lucy.' Mrs Hodges folded her arms across her bosom. ‘If the water's cold it's your fault. Now wash your hands and face and clean your teeth. When you're done you'll get dressed and come downstairs for breakfast. Sir William has decided that you ought to join him in the dining room. Heaven help us all.'

Washed and dressed in the tartan frock that Miss Appleby had made for the child who succumbed to scarlatina, Lucy had to suffer while Mrs Hodges raked a comb through her hair. ‘I never saw such a wild mop,' she said crossly. ‘But at least it's clean and it will have to do.' She stood back, looking Lucy up and down with a critical eye. ‘Come with me, but the dog stays here.'

‘He'll be scared on his own,' Lucy protested.

Mrs Hodges grabbed her by the ear and propelled her out of the room, shutting the door before Peckham had a chance to follow them. ‘Don't be silly,' she said sharply. ‘And when you're in Sir William's company remember your manners. Speak only when spoken too and don't bolt your food.'

Lucy said nothing. It seemed best to say as little as possible when in the housekeeper's company, and she allowed herself to be led downstairs to the dining room. Mrs Hodges opened the door and thrust her in first, as if she feared that her charge might make a sudden dash for freedom.

‘Will there be anything else, Sir William?' Mrs Hodges asked, giving Lucy a none too gentle push towards the vast dining table, which was laden with gleaming silver, crystal and fine bone china.

‘That will be all for now, Mrs Hodges. My advertisement for a governess should appear in
The Times
tomorrow, and I'm hoping to get a response quite soon. In the meantime, I suggest that you find something to occupy the child's hands. She should sew a sampler or whatever girls this age do to pass the time.'

Mrs Hodges did not look impressed. ‘Very good, sir. I'll do my best.' She bobbed a curtsey and backed out of the room.

‘Sit down, child,' Sir William said, waving his knife at her.

Bedwin stepped forward and pulled out a chair. Lucy perched on the edge, not knowing what to do next. Her grandfather was tucking into a plate of buttered eggs, bacon, kidneys and two fat sausages. He paused with the fork halfway to his lips. ‘Aren't you hungry?'

She stared blankly at the array of silver cutlery set out in front of her.

She wondered if the servants would suddenly appear and fill the empty chairs set around the table, which would seat at least twenty people. ‘Don't I have to wait for the others?' she whispered.

He stared at her, frowning. ‘The others?'

‘There's so many empty places. Do the servants come in when you've finished filling your face, Grandpapa?'

‘Where did you learn that vulgar expression?' He dabbed his lips with a starched white napkin. ‘No, don't bother to tell me. I should expect it, I suppose. You really do have a lot to learn, Lucy.' He speared a kidney on his fork and popped it into his mouth.

Lucy's stomach rumbled, but she sat very still hoping that someone would bring her food on a tray, as had happened the previous evening. Bedwin picked up what she thought must be a teapot, although it was silver and very ornate. He hovered at her side. ‘Would you like some hot chocolate, Miss Lucy?'

‘Is that like cocoa?'

‘Very similar, miss.'

‘Then I will. I only gets cocoa when Granny's feeling flush.' She glanced up at Bedwin and saw his lips twitch. ‘Is there any chance of a bit of toast or something? I'm bloody starving.'

‘One helps oneself at the sideboard, miss,' he said in a low voice. ‘Would you like me to assist you?'

‘Yes, ta.' She stood up, knocking his elbow so that he spilled a little of the hot chocolate into the saucer.

Sir William clicked his tongue against his teeth. ‘I'm afraid you'll have to treat her as if she were a savage brought back from the colonies, Bedwin. Miss Lucy has lived a completely different existence and will need to be instructed in everything. I fear it's going to be an uphill task.'

Bedwin went to the sideboard and lifted the lid of a silver breakfast dish. The aroma of fried bacon was too much for Lucy and she grabbed a couple of rashers. Bedwin shook his head. ‘Use the serving spoons, miss,' he whispered. ‘We don't use our fingers.'

Lucy was helping herself to buttered eggs when a sharp tap on the door made her jump and she dropped the spoon. ‘I'll get a cloth and clean it up, Mr Bedwin,' she said apologetically.

Again he shook his head. ‘The parlour maid will do that, miss.' He went to the door and opened it. ‘What is it, Susan?'

‘There's a gent to see the master, Mr Bedwin. I told him to come back later, but he won't take no for an answer.'

‘
THE MASTER DOESN'T
like being disturbed so early in the morning,' Bedwin said in a low voice. ‘Tell whoever it is he will have to wait.' He guided Lucy back to her chair, and when she was seated he plucked the folded napkin from the table, shook it out with a flourish and laid it on her lap. He stepped away, but before he could resume his position the door flew open and a smartly dressed man burst into the room.

Sir William half rose from his chair. ‘What do you mean by this intrusion, sir?'

Lucy turned her head to stare at the intruder. ‘Blimey!' she said, staring at him in surprise. ‘Does he owe you money too?'

‘What are you talking about, Lucy?' Sir William demanded incredulously. ‘Do you know this man?'

‘Of course she doesn't know me, Uncle,' Linus said hastily. ‘I don't know who this child is, but I've never seen her before in my life.'

Lucy leapt to her feet, stung by the injustice of this. ‘You're a liar, mister. I found your wallet in Burlington Arcade and returned it to you. You gave me a measly three and six.'

‘It's a lie. Take no notice of her, Uncle.'

Sir William sat down slowly. ‘Suddenly I've lost my appetite. Why do you always have that effect on me, Linus? What trouble are you in now?'

‘I expect it's them bits of paper with IOU written on them,' Lucy said solemnly. ‘They was worth a lot of money, judging by the look on his face when he saw they was still in the wallet, and I still reckon they were worth more than what he give me.'

Sir William sat back in his chair with a sigh. ‘You've been at the gaming tables again. Don't you ever learn?'

‘I could ask you the same, sir,' Linus said angrily. ‘Your good works will bankrupt you one day. I suppose that's why you've taken this little street arab into your household. Did you know that her grandmother is a thief and a prostitute, and her daughter was no better? This is the child of Satan if you ask me.'

‘This child of Satan as you call her is the daughter of my late son, your cousin Julius, and as such is heir to my fortune. As to her mother, no one seems to know her whereabouts, but I've bought off the grandmother. We won't be seeing her again, unless I'm very much mistaken.'

This was too much for Lucy and she dropped her knife and fork with a clatter. She sprang to her feet, facing her grandfather with her small hands fisted. ‘Don't say bad things about my granny. She's done her best for me and I love her. I'd rather live in one attic room with her than stay in a big house with the likes of you. I've had about enough of you and your blooming toffee-nosed servants. I'm taking me dog and I'm going back where I belong.' She stormed out of the room without giving either of them a chance to respond, but when she reached the entrance hall she realised that leaving was easier said than done. Mrs Hodges, James the footman, Susan and a parlour maid were joined by Bedwin, who followed her from the dining room. He clapped his hands together. ‘I have the matter in hand. All of you go about your business, except for Mrs Hodges. May I have a word with you, ma'am?'

She sidled up to him, keeping an eye on Lucy as if she expected her to vanish into thin air or float up to the ceiling like a hot air balloon. ‘Yes, Mr Bedwin?'

‘See that the child is kept to her room for the next few days. I suggest you allow her to keep the animal with her, but she's to have her meals brought to her. Sir William doesn't want a repeat of today's performance.'

Mrs Hodges shot an angry glance in Lucy's direction. ‘The master will rue the day he brought that one in from the streets. In the gutter he found her and that's where she should have stayed. This is a respectable household.' She beckoned to Lucy. ‘Upstairs, now. I shan't tell you twice.'