Fragile Blossoms (22 page)

‘What are you doing, mother?’

Caught once again listening in on the shared line Callie slammed down the phone. ‘You are going to have to do something about this phone, Daniel,’ she said, her cheeks burning. ‘I can’t be doing with shared lines. Blessed thing ringing every minute of the day! It’s disturbing the whole house.’

‘Are you sure that was for us? I didn’t hear it ring.’

‘Well it did and it was!’

Daniel sat down and picked up the
Times
. ‘I’ll get onto the engineer.’

‘Yes do! I wouldn’t mind if the calls were for me. They’re not. They’re for Anna and her precious tea-shop. ‘Can we have a table for four for Friday, and a party of eight for Saturday, and could Mrs Whosis hire the amusing piano man who played for Tommy on his birthday?’ It’s enough to drive a body crazy.’

Daniel sighed. ‘Have you thought any more about seeing that doctor?’

‘No and I’m not going to. He’ll only tell me what I already know.’

‘And what is that?’

‘That I’m a pain in the posterior and that I have heart disease. For my heart I have the best cardiologist in Professor Adelman. As for the other thing I know I’m a pain and don’t need some two-bit horse-doctor reminding me.’

‘The person I had in mind is no horse-doctor. Dr Baumgartner is a well respected psychoanalyst recommended by Professor Adelman.’

‘I don’t care who recommended him. Why would I want to sit and weep over a miserable childhood? I had the best childhood. I’ve no cause to weep.’

‘Then why do you weep?’

‘Who says I do?’

‘Dulce. She says you all the time moping.’

‘Well she’s no right! My tears are my business. It’s the phone calls getting to me. And this darned weather! I’m so cold.’

‘Then move to a climate that suits. Go live in France with Mary Singer Sargent. She’s always asking after you. You don’t have to be cold or miserable.’

Cassie frowned. ‘Are you trying to be rid of me, Daniel Masson? Is that what this is about, me moving out and you moving in with Julianna?’

Daniel raised his hand. ‘Stop there! We’re not getting into one of those. I’ve told you, my relationship with Julianna is not up for discussion.’

‘So you don’t want to be with her?’

‘I want to be with her but not in Norfolk and not the cottage or this house. There’s enough Greville blood spilt on that bit of land without adding mine.’

‘I can’t see her going to California. She’s loves this country.’

‘She can learn to love another.’

‘I doubt it. It’s not about a house or even a name. It’s about heritage. And what of her family? I’m sure her sister wouldn’t want her to go.’

‘Sister?’

‘Yes, they’re real close.’

‘I thought she had two sisters.’

‘No only the one.’

‘I don’t think so. There are two, farmer’s wives.’

Callie stared. ‘Farmer’s wives?’

It was Daniel’s turn to stare. ‘Who are we talking about? What woman and what sister?’ Furious he rattled the newspaper. ‘This isn’t about Julianna and her sisters. This is you obsessing on the Newman woman and
her
sister.’

‘Not at all!’ Callie spluttered. ‘It’s about Julianna and her rise to fame. You know she’s setting up another place in Cambridge?’

‘She told me. It’s a spot close by the University. A smart business move, I thought, catering for college folk.’

‘It might be a smart business move but it’s not good for Matty. He needs a mother not a female Joseph Lyons.’

‘He has a mother and a good mother. Don’t underestimate Matthew. He might be little but he’s strong and with a mind of his own.’

‘Yes, and him not wanting you for a Pa is the reason you’re still dancing attendance. Not that it matters what Matty Dryden wants. You’ve more powerful obstacles to overcome than a fractious child.’

‘For God’s sake!’

All morning Daniel has been trying to get to his stuff together, to post the final proof of his book to the publishers and pack ready for the boat to Port Elizabeth and Boer prison camps. He needs time to think and prepare but all he hears is a whining band-saw. Callie doesn’t eat or sleep. Dulce is worried. ‘Your Momma has unfinished business here,’ says she.

‘And what am I supposed to do about that?’

‘You can get rid of that shared line. She’s driving herself crazy listening in on Mizz Dryden’s calls and when she’s not doing that she’s writing letters.’

‘To whom?’

‘To ghosts! All day scribbling away at nothing, I say you want me to post those letters, Mizz Callie? She says when I’m ready. She ain’t never gonna be ready. The folks she writes to are dust in the ground. Then there’s that telescope fixated on the house. I almost took an axe to it the other day.’

‘What stopped you?’

‘God stopped me. He said she’s to figure it. She’s obsessed with that house and the people in it. I swear she don’t know who’s who any more, the gal living there now or the one that broke her heart. Your Momma made an idol of Justine Newman. Then she learned not only did her Madonna have earthen feet she had breasts and hot blood and wasn’t above sharing heat with your Momma’s affianced.
Elle était une Madonna mauvais! Une Verge noir
!’

Black Madonna! This is Dulce. Riddles and omens she talks like this all the time. To Daniel the situation is straightforward, Callie is getting senile. He took her hand. ‘I’m not trying to get rid of you. You’re my mother and I love you.’

‘Well it sure don’t feel that way, you dropping hints all the time.’

‘Ah come on! Since when have you known me drop hints?’

Callie wasn’t listening. She was at her usual station, the terrace window, staring down the Rise. ‘I know what this is about,’ she said. ‘I’m like Queen Victoria, I’ve outstayed my welcome. Did you know she is blind now and unable to walk? That ain’t a life. I don’t know why they don’t take a gun and put us both out of our misery.’

‘How do you know the Queen is blind?’

‘Stefan Adelman told me the other day when he was doing what you’re doing, delivering a pep-talk but in a kinder fashion.’

‘You think I’m cruel?’

‘No, not cruel. Maybe if you were you’d be less hogtied.’

‘I don’t see myself hogtied.’

Callie sighed. ‘Then it’s you that’s blind. You think you have a relationship with Anna Dryden. You don’t. You have lease-lend with half of London Society.’

Later that day standing at the same lookout Daniel thought on his mother’s words. Lease-lend is a cruel way to describe his situation but close to the truth. If he is hogtied it is by Julianna’s willingness to give affection while retaining her heart Stefan Adelman a case in point. That she visits Adelman’s wife suggests a compassionate association yet there’s more than compassion in the doctor’s glance when gazing at her. Then there’s the Prince of Wales. Two years or more she’s been a Court favourite. Naturally there is gossip. Of late, her popularity with the Prince ever constant, gossip has acquired a barbed edge. ‘A tease, warm but unwilling,’ was said of her last week at a ball at Sandringham. Daniel attended as her partner. He’s hoping this thing with Bertie won’t last. As Callie says the Queen hangs by a thread. Those close to the throne are flexing their muscles ready to repel boarders. It’s likely in the push for space Julianna will be swept aside. Then again Bertie may hold fast and she becomes a Person of Note. The likely-hood of this was made clear last week. Entering the ballroom, Julianna glorious in a gown the colour of old gold and pearls in her hair, they had walked toward a dais far end of the room, the crowd parting to let them through. As they walked Daniel could hear locks being applied to knees and knew that when this woman walks by the natural inclination of those with an eye to the future is to bow and curtsey.

The Prince was smiling, ‘Mrs Dryden, so happy to see you.’ To Daniel he’d extended a hand nails polished and cuff immaculate. ‘And you, Greville Masson, always a pleasure.’ Thus presented they took their place among the Marlborough Set; then began a game of
Pass the Parcel,
the manoeuvring of all such occasions edging the preferred beauty close to the prince. Thus Julianna was soon side-by-side with the current
maitresse en titre
, Alice Keppel, Daniel to his horror was confronted by Cousin Francis’s wife, Lady Brooke, Countess of Warwick, Royal mistress and inspiration behind the song, ‘
Daisy, Daisy! ‘

Daisy Greville Warwick is the thorn in the family paw that Francis Warwick would love to pull. Callie can’t abide her. ‘Francis married down when he married her. She’ll bring us all to ruin.’ Noisy, embroiled in many affairs and not afraid to tell, she’s known as Babbling Brooke. At the ball, worse for wine and chagrin, the prince committed to Mrs Keppel, Daisy hung on his arm, ‘awfully pleased to see you, handsome Colonial Cousin.’ Daniel steered her about the floor dodging Ostrich plumes in her hair and impertinent questions such as, ‘why aren’t he and Julianna Dryden wed. Has Daniel been refused or is she as she is with the Prince of Wales warmly unwilling.’ There is much public and private speculation. The newspapers adore Julianna and while quick to publish photographs remain kind. Rumours as to the exact state of the Royal connection are brought to the breakfast table by Callie.

‘They say she won’t dine alone with him.’

‘Who says?’

‘A cook at Sandringham, who heard it from a butler at the Cassel’s place. They say she doesn’t toe the Court Line, too picky about invitations and refusing shooting parties. I must say I’m with her on that. I used to hate being with your father when for a change he was in the mood to shoot at deer and not me. ’

Daniel doesn’t ask questions of Julianna. The only right he has is to love, and to accept, or refuse, love offered in return. Friday evening on the way back from Sandringham it was chilly. Enfolded in fur Julianna shivered. Daniel leant forward to pull the hood about her face and unable to resist her lips kissed her. Hands flat against his chest she resisted but the kiss deepening she relaxed against the cushion. Soft and compliant her body was an offering. Those lips and the curve of her breast! His hands burned to close about her. Lashes lowered she waited to see what he would do. Ardour retreated before pride and with the thought all or nothing he did nothing.

*

Stefan is unwell. He’s spent the better part of the year travelling back and forth to Osborne House. The journey, and a worsening situation with Karoline, is taking their toll. Julianna rang to see how he is.

After a lengthy wait the phone was picked up. ‘‘Ello?’

‘Is this Doctor Adelman’s residence?’

‘It is but I’m afraid he’s busy. Can I take a message?’

‘Thank you. Would you tell him Julianna Dryden will be making the trip to Bradbury next Tuesday as planned and would he meet me at the station?’

‘Alright, ducks, I’ll pass the message on.’

Replacing the phone Julia wondered whether she was quite awake. Three nights in a row she dreamt she phoned Stefan and a woman with a melodious voice answered. In the dream Julia asks if she might speak with Stefan. The woman replies, ‘I’m afraid the Professor is busy. May I take a message?’

Now Stefan’s cockney charlady answers and breaks the dream

Ten minutes later the phone rang. ‘Sorry, my dear,’ Stefan panted. ‘I was otherwise engaged.’

‘Not to worry. I rang to say I’ll be with you Tuesday.’

‘Good! I am so looking forward to seeing you. A month apart is a very long time. And Matthew is he well?’

‘He is very well.’

‘Excellent. I’ll see you Tuesday, as my charlady would say, with boots blacked.’

‘That was your charlady who took the call.’

‘It was, my Peggy Carstairs.’

‘And does your Peggy take good care of you?’

‘She does. I am a fortunate fellow.’

*

Julianna is talking with Maud. ‘So you see with this document you become a partner in the tea-shop and are entitled to a share of the profits.’

Mrs McLaughlin gaped. ‘A partner?’

‘Yes and it’s only right. You are the backbone of our little establishment.’

‘I don’t know what to say.’

‘There’s no need to say anything. Just sign and it is yours.’

‘You are referring to Bakers, madam, not the one in Cambridge?’

‘The Cambridgeshire tea-house will be managed by people who live in the area but as a partner in the business association, and having agreed to get the new shop started, any and all successes will be shared with you.’

‘I’m quite overcome. I never imagined my life working out like this.’

‘It is what you deserve. I could not have managed without you. And you’re happy with Leah as manager here while you are away?’

‘You couldn’t have a better worker. I’m just saying I wouldn’t want to stay in Cambridge permanent. I don’t mind helping but this is my home, mine and Joey’s. And I would so miss Matthew.’

‘You’ll always have a home here, Maud, and for that matter were Matty and I to move elsewhere we would ask you to come with us.’

‘Move? Is that a possibility?’

‘I have been thinking along those lines. It depends how things work out. Anyway on the subject of Matty I am away this Tuesday. Please ensure he refers to his piano teacher as Mr Faulkner and not Mr Polly Wolly Doodle.’

‘I will, madam, though I don’t think Ben minds.’

‘Perhaps not but I do.’

Mrs Mac might smile at such things but Julia isn’t amused. Matty gets stronger by the day, while his speech is still hesitant the need to shut out the world is not nearly so evident. The piano lessons have helped. Ben Faulkner is kind but a child must not be allowed to take liberties.

Nan is here discussing bookings. It wasn’t long before the topic turned to Matty. ‘Your boy needs a strong but kindly hand.’

‘You have a particular hand in mind?’

‘Nay, not me! I’m as inquisitive as the next but not so foolish as to dip my oar in choppy waters. I’m sure with all this society gadding-about you’ve plenty suitors. Is it true you’re to dine at Sandringham again this evening?’

‘I believe so. ’

‘Is he a nice man Prince Albert?’