The Forgotten Family (3 page)

Placing her in the bed he then tucked the two pillows either side of her. Queenie immediately turned and snuggled up to one of them.

‘She might stay there now.’

‘I never thought of that, sir. Now the bed doesn’t seem so empty to her.’

They both remained, staring down at the little girl.

‘What a mess!’ Albert ran a hand through his hair. ‘I’ve got to sort this out, and see that everything is done legally.’

‘Yes, sir, she will have to stay now.’

He nodded grimly. ‘How is my wife, Nanny?’

‘Happier than I’ve seen her for a long time. She came to
read her a bedtime story, then kissed her, and went away smiling.’

‘Mary is not strong, and the burden is going to fall on you.’ He looked down fondly at the woman who had been like a mother to him. ‘I’ll see you have more help. If it gets too much, you must let me know at once.’

‘Thank you, sir. If you could release Molly from her other duties, that would be appreciated. She has a nice way with children.’

‘I’ll arrange that.’ Closing his eyes for a brief moment, overcome with fatigue, his mind ran through the things he had to take care of. Then he opened his eyes again. ‘Poor little devil.’

‘Now, don’t you get upset.’ Nanny gave him a confident smile. ‘She’s only a baby and will soon forget her other family.’

‘I hope you’re right. But I’m going to tear Henry limb from limb!’

Queenie watched them leave the room, and then buried her nose in the frock. I won’t forget, she raged silently. Mum and Dad didn’t want me, so I’ll forget them, but I won’t forget Ted, Harry, Jack, Tommy, Bert, Charlie, June, Pearl or Maggie. I won’t forget them. Never!

Henry Jenson’s house was only two miles away, so Albert took a fresh mount and headed for his brother-in-law’s. It was nearly midnight when he arrived. The door was opened as soon as he thumped on it, and he swept aside the flustered servant, storming into the library, knowing that was where he would find Henry.

‘I ought to give you the thrashing of your life,’ he
growled, as Henry leapt to his feet in alarm.

‘Now, Albert.’ He backed away, hands up in defence. ‘Mary will take good care of the child.’

‘Mary can’t take care of herself, let alone a troubled child who has been taken away from her family and dumped with strangers. The little girl’s terrified!’

‘That bad, is it?’ Henry visibly blanched as his brother-in-law took a menacing step towards him.

‘Now, I’ll tell you what you’re going to do. From this moment on, that child is mine! You are to see that the adoption is legal. I don’t want
anyone
else to have a claim on her.’

‘I’ll see to it—’

‘You make sure you do. You make this legal – and with the utmost speed. If anyone comes near me trying to take her away, then I’ll break your bloody neck. Is that understood?’

‘I’ll get straight on to it, Albert.’ Henry swallowed and cleared his throat.

‘Make sure you do, or your life won’t be worth living. And as soon as it’s done I want a notice put in the papers announcing the adoption.’

Henry nodded and held up the decanter. ‘Er … would you like a drink?’

‘No, I wouldn’t!’ Albert stormed out of the house, and galloped away.

Henry collapsed into a leather armchair, pulled the stopper out of the decanter with his teeth, and filled a glass with brandy, his hand shaking. Albert Warrender was a powerful man, with hair as black as night, and
eyes that glowed like burning coals when in a rage.

He emptied the glass in one gulp. Facing his sister’s husband when he was in that kind of a mood was not something he would recommend to anyone.

Her father, standing in his usual spot by the fireplace, glowered at her, but Ellie wasn’t fooled for a moment by his stern expression. She loved him and knew his every mood, and his mouth had twitched when she’d walked into the room. Even so, although he had always been extremely indulgent and forgiving of her boisterous moods, she knew he was near the end of his patience.

‘Your explanation had better be good, Eleanor. This is the second school to send you home in disgrace.’ He held up the letter she had given him from the school. ‘Fighting again!’

‘I’m sorry, Father.’ She cast a quick glance at her mother, but she was sitting with her hands in her lap, clearly content to leave this matter with her husband. Ellie drew in a deep breath. ‘They started it first.’

‘They? There was more than one this time?’

‘Um … three, actually.’

He looked up at the ceiling for a moment, then back to her, his amber eyes smouldering. ‘I can see they gave you a black eye. I was hoping that the exclusive finishing school would teach you to control your temper. Why were you expelled when it was three girls who attacked you?’

Shuffling carefully, she slipped out of her shoes. For some strange reason she always wanted to get rid of her shoes when she was in trouble. ‘I think I broke one girl’s nose, and the other two—’

He held up his hand to stop her. ‘There’s no need to go into details as I shall, no doubt, be receiving letters from the outraged parents.’

‘They deserved it, Father. They called us – me names, and I wasn’t going to put up with that. Just because they come from titled families they think they’re better than everyone else.’ She held his gaze boldly. ‘I told them you were richer and more noble than all of them.’

‘You were defending
me
?’ He shook his head in disbelief.

Ellie squinted at her father with one eye – the other one was fast closing – and tried a little smile. ‘They said their fathers were in the House of Lords, but you were only in the Lower House. I told them that all the intelligent men were there, and it was where all the hard work was done. Their fathers only took their seats to sleep off a heavy lunch.’

‘Oh, my.’ Albert turned away, his shoulders shaking.

‘It was quite a scrap.’ There was pride in her voice. ‘And I won, but they went crying like babies to the Head.’

Her father faced her again, in control. ‘You should not have reacted in such a violent way. I’m quite capable of defending my own reputation.’

‘I know.’ Ellie studied the floor, trying in vain to hide her smile. ‘They said I took after you. Perhaps one day women will be allowed in Parliament.’

Albert turned to his wife. ‘What do you suggest we do with her, Mary? Do you know of another school who would take her, or has her reputation spread to the length and breadth of the land?’

‘But Father –’ Ellie didn’t give her mother a chance to answer – ‘I shall be eighteen in January. Must I still go to school? I would much rather stay here with you and Mother.’

‘She does have a point, Albert.’ Her mother’s tone was gentle, as always. ‘A private tutor for a short time might be the answer. I don’t believe Eleanor is at fault here. The other girls started the argument, so she should not have been expelled.’

‘It does appear to be that way, but the argument should not have turned into a fight. However, your suggestion of a private tutor is a sound one. I shall advertise at once.’

‘Does this mean I can stay at home?’ Ellie asked, relieved. She hated being away from home.

‘I believe it is the only answer.’ Her father shook his head in mock dismay. ‘We have run out of suitable establishments for you.’

‘Oh, thank you.’ She threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly, then did the same to her mother, only gently this time. Ellie couldn’t remember her ever being very strong, but she had become rather pale and listless of late. It was distressing to see her deep auburn hair prematurely sprinkled with grey, and her green eyes clouded with pain. ‘I’m sorry to have worried you again, Mother. I don’t mean to get into trouble, but I just can’t seem to avoid it.’

‘You have been a joy to us from the moment you arrived, Eleanor.’ She kissed her daughter’s cheek with undisguised affection. ‘Now you must go and explain to Nanny, but don’t stay too long. She is rather frail.’

‘I won’t tire her.’ Ellie had always loved Nanny, and it was sad to see her so weak, but she must be a good age, as she had also been her father’s nanny.

She ran towards the door, eager to see the woman who had practically brought her up, and skidded to a halt at the sound of her father’s voice. She turned.

‘Shoes,’ was all he said.

‘Oops, sorry.’ Scooping them up and not bothering to put them on, she made for Nanny’s rooms. Her father had provided her with a private place of her own, containing everything she could need for her comfort. The elderly woman was being well looked after, which was only right.

Knocking on the door, she waited until she heard the call to come in, and then opened the door enough to be able to peer in. ‘Hello, Nanny. I’ve come to confess my sins.’

‘Thrown you out again, have they?’

‘It wasn’t my fault.’

‘No, it never is.’ She waved a hand. ‘Come in and let me see you.’

Ellie was delighted to be home again and to see the woman she thought the world of.

Nanny allowed her cheek to be kissed. ‘I don’t know why your father sends you to boarding school. It would never work, and I’ve told him many times.’

‘Well, I’m staying home now, and he’s going to get me a tutor for a while.’

‘Whoever he employs will not stay long.’ Nanny shook her head as she gazed at her former charge.

‘Why am I such a trial to everyone, Nanny?’ Ellie sat on the floor, sighing deeply, tossing her shoes under a small table. ‘I can’t seem to keep out of trouble.’

‘You’ve always had an independent streak, speaking your mind without a thought that you may upset someone. It’s your nature, and we’ve never been able to change you, though we’ve tried very hard to make a lady of you.’

Ellie grimaced.

‘Don’t worry; we all love you the way you are. Now, you can make me a cup of tea while you’re here.’

‘I’ve been told I mustn’t stay too long and tire you.’ Ellie scrambled to her feet and headed for the small stove in the corner of the room. Nanny was served the same food as everyone else, so she didn’t need to do any cooking.

‘And that’s another thing we’ve never been able to break
you of.’ Nanny gestured to Ellie’s bare feet. ‘You’ve never liked shoes, have you, Queenie?’

Ellie stopped dead as the name ran through her mind, sounding familiar, and for some odd reason, making her feel sad. She turned, a deep frown on her face. ‘What did you call me?’

‘Eleanor.’

‘No, you didn’t. You called me Queenie.’

‘Did I?’ Nanny laughed. ‘My silly old mind. I must have been thinking about someone else. Hurry up and make the tea. I’m gasping.’

While Ellie busied herself, she couldn’t get the name out of her head.  Why had it given her such a start when she heard it? They didn’t know anyone of that name. With a shrug, she concentrated on what she was doing. Must be someone from Nanny’s past. When people got old they often dwelt on days gone by, but she couldn’t help feeling there was something she should remember.

‘What are you doing, Eleanor? It doesn’t take all day to make a pot of tea, surely?’

‘Just coming.’ Ellie laughed. That sounded more like Nanny. She took the tea and placed it on the table.

She only stayed long enough to drink the tea and explain what had happened at school. Then, seeing that Nanny was getting tired, she left.

Her father was no longer in the library, and her mother had retired for her afternoon rest so, putting on her shoes, Ellie made for the stables, knowing her father would most likely be there with his beloved horses.

She was right. He was running his hands over a beautiful
dappled grey mare, and talking to one of the grooms. She charged up to them. ‘She’s beautiful. I haven’t seen her before.’

‘I only bought her three days ago.’ He watched the horse nuzzle Eleanor. ‘Looks like you’re friends already.’

Ellie laughed when the mare gave her a playful shove. ‘I think she likes me.’

‘That’s good, because I bought her for you.’

She nearly knocked her father off his feet in her eagerness to thank him. ‘Can I ride her now?’

‘Go and get changed and I’ll come with you, just to make sure the animal behaves herself.’

Ellie tore back to the house, excitement bubbling away. This was a good day: she had got off lightly for being expelled, and she wouldn’t have to go away to school again; she now had a horse of her own and, best of all, her father was coming riding with her. She loved that. He was such fun.

The horse was lively, but Ellie had no trouble controlling her. Her father had always insisted that she ride astride, as it was safer than side-saddle. She had been riding for as long as she could remember, and like her father, she adored horses. There was no greater pleasure than a gallop through the countryside, whatever the weather.

After half an hour, they stopped on a rise to admire the view.

‘You suit each other,’ her father said. ‘So, what are you going to call her? Her bloodline is good.’

‘I don’t know. She’s a regal looking animal.’ Her mind
ran over suitable names for her, but one jumped immediately to thought. ‘I know, I’ll call her Queenie.’

There was silence for a while as her father studied her intently. ‘What made you choose that name?’

‘Nanny called me that while I was making tea for her.’ Ellie frowned as she remembered. ‘Is she all right, Father? She said her mind was wandering, but the name seemed familiar. Do we know of anyone by that name?’

‘No, not now.’

The tone of her father’s voice made her look up sharply. He sounded hesitant, which wasn’t at all like him. Her curiosity got the better of her and she asked, ‘But we did in the past?’

‘It was a long time ago. You were only a baby.’

‘Oh, was she a servant?’

‘No, she was just someone we knew for a while. Now, back to the name. I think you should call her Silver Princess.’

Ellie studied the animal’s coat as the sun caught it, making it shimmer. ‘That’s a perfect name for her.’

‘Good.’ Her father remounted. ‘We must return now because I have to be in London this evening.’

Sorry that their short time together was over, she got back in the saddle, and they cantered towards the house. She was bursting with questions about the person they had known when she’d been tiny, but her father had changed the subject, and she knew more questions would not be answered. Still, it explained why the name had sounded familiar. And Nanny’s lapse of memory. Perhaps she could get her to tell her about the girl sometime. That
was something else she had never been able to control – her curiosity. She knew she had nearly driven her parents and Nanny mad when she was little with her unceasing questions. Dismissing it from her mind, she laughed at her father and urged Silver into a gallop, leaving him to catch up.

Nanny’s slip was causing Albert concern. The name Queenie had been dropped after only two weeks of her arriving. The first few months had been difficult. Eleanor had never mentioned her parents, but had constantly asked for her brothers and sisters. The one she had missed the most was called Harry, and it had torn the heart out of Albert to see her forlorn little face as she had asked repeatedly for him. It had been a relief when that had stopped and, fortunately, she had been young enough for the memories to fade as she’d settled into her new life. They had invited lots of their friends’ children to play with her. By the time she was ready for school, she appeared to have no recollection of her former life.

They had all been careful to show her love, and to let her know they were happy she was with them. And that had been the truth. Mary adored her, and his wife’s bouts of depression became a thing of the past. Nanny had loved and protected her, and he had been, and still was, captivated by her lively intelligence and independent nature. It hadn’t always been easy, of course, as she seemed to attract trouble, but he could never be angry with her for long. She had a beguiling way, and an openness that was, at times, disconcerting. His Eleanor
did not tolerate rudeness from anyone, no matter what their station in life. There was still an element in her of the battling little girl they had brought into their home, and he was pleased it hadn’t been entirely educated out of her. When he thought back to the time he had first seen her, and then looked at her now, he loved and admired her unconditionally. She was a happy girl, but was that happiness now in danger?

There was a worried look on his face when he knocked on his wife’s door, then he strode in. Mary was propped up in bed reading a book.

‘How are you feeling, Mary?’

‘I’m fine, Albert.’ She smiled. ‘Did you enjoy your ride?’

‘Very much.’ Settling in a chair beside the bed, he told her how delighted Eleanor had been with the mare.

‘I knew she would be, but why do you look so worried, my dear?’

‘Nanny called her Queenie today, but quickly recovered by saying that she had been thinking about someone else.’

Mary closed the book, and sat forward. ‘Did Eleanor recognise the name?’

He shook his head. ‘No, but she wanted to call the mare Queenie. I talked her out of it, though.’

‘That’s a relief.’ Mary settled back on the pillows again. ‘If she hears the name too often, she may begin to remember things. My first memories are from about the age of four. I certainly cannot recall anything when I was younger than that, but being removed from her family was traumatic for her, and you never know if memories might surface.’

‘That’s what worries me. We are going to have to tell her one day—’

‘It is only right that she knows, Albert.’ Mary reached out for his hand. ‘She has been happy with us, and still is, and as far as she is concerned, she is our daughter. But I’m going to ask you to wait until she’s older and more able to cope with the revelation.’