THE MAGIC TOUCH (Historical Romance) (11 page)

Wandering back to Beaumont, she was fast losing patienc
e with him as he still appeared deep in thought. As she was on the verge of asking him if he had any ideas at all, he spoke. “You will have to confess to Constance.”

This was what Hope had dr
eaded. She knew it was the correct thing to own up to her aunt, but she also expected it would put her in a bad humour which would not help Edna at all. After she explained to Beaumont, he nodded. “But it has to be done. There’s been enough duplicity.”

“You are right,” admitted Hope. “I know you are. At first I was hesitant to confront my aunt because of what she would think of me, but at the moment I care more about Edna than myself.”

“Very commendable. But if Edna is to get a fair hearing, Constance must know the whole story.”

With the decision made, Beaumont accompanied Hope to her aunt’s house so she could enter unobtrusively while he was talking to
Constance.

When she had changed into a dress and fixed a hair piece, Hope
went to find her aunt, anticipating Beaumont would still be with her.

“Hope, you’re flushed and out of breath, what have you been up to?” Aunt Constance frowned at her niece.

“Nothing much,” replied Hope, avoiding Beaumont’s amused gaze.

“As I was saying, Constance, I wish you would let me have Hope’s help to create some slides for a new show I have in mind. She has shown herself to be talented in many ways.” At this he placed himself firmly in front of Hope so she had no way of politely avoiding his eyes which were shining above a barely-concealed grin.

“Certainly, Beaumont. As you are both here now, can you set to work? It doesn’t appear that Hope has much to do at the moment and she certainly needs distracting.”

“Are you suggesting I distract your niece?” queried Beaumont
. “However,” he continued, without waiting for a reply, “I think it best if she could come to my house as I have all the equipment there. Would that be possible to arrange?”

“No doubt it could be
. I will let you know when I am able to chaperone her.”

“I beg your pardon, Hope,” said Beaumont incomprehensibly. Whatever did he mean,
she wondered? “I thought you were about to say something.”

Now she understood and took a deep breath. “Yes, I was. Something important. Aunt Constance I
am guilty of a gross transgression.”

As she stammered and stuttered her way through the story from
the start to the end, her aunt’s face set deeper and deeper into a frown. When Hope finished with the latest part about going to Beaumont’s house for advice, there was an interminable silence. She paced the room, occasionally glancing at her aunt and Beaumont who seemed to be transfixed by a painting of one of Uncle Eustace’s ancestors.

“Sit down, Hope, you are wearing me out with your pacing.”

“Yes, Aunt.” Hope immediately did as her aunt commanded.

“You t
ook your dead uncle’s clothes to wear?”

“Yes, Aunt.”

“And you went out in them, either with Edna or on your own?”

“Yes, I
confess I did.”

“
You went to the fair and to a gentlemen’s club?”

“Yes, dear Aunt.”

“You walked in the park alone.”

“I did.”

“Whatever will your mother say?”

“I think she will pretend to be cross, but I think she will also wish she had been to a gentlemen’s club. She has often wondered what they are like.”

Beaumont spluttered. “Excuse me, Constance, I appear to have a tickle in my throat.” When Hope glanced at him he winked at her yet again. She winked back which had him spluttering even more. Hope realised she shouldn’t be so frivolous, yet what did it matter that she had worn men’s clothes? Nothing awful had befallen her. Then she remembered that they had been her dead uncle’s clothes. That
did
make her feel uncomfortable.

“I do not know what to say or think.”
Constance tapped her fingers on the table. “I am considering how Eustace would have regarded the matter. What do you think, Beaumont? What would your esteemed ally have said?”

“It isn’t my place to say. You knew him better than I did
, better than anyone else in the world. You are the only one who would be able to say how he would react to Hope’s behaviour and mine. I have to tell you that I have played a part in the events. I encouraged Hope to come to the fair a second time and to my club.”

“I am aware of your
at times shocking behaviour, Beaumont. It is part of the reason Eustace liked you.” Constance appeared lost in thought again.

Beaumont looked at Hope and smiled weakly
, before addressing her aunt again. “Have you thought yet how he would react to Hope wearing his clothes?”

Constance’s face lit up. “He would have laughed and told her she should use a more competent tailor. He was a
n elegant man, do you remember?”

“Indeed I do.
I remember the time he told me that he would take me to his tailor as my jacket was ill-fitting.”

“I was somewhat askance when I discovered the ragged clothing in Eustace’s rooms until I remembered he sometimes liked to stray
incognito outside the house to see how the underprivileged lived,” said Constance.

“Indeed, I can testify to that. He earned my
great respect because he wanted to witness for himself the poverty experienced by many in the city,” replied Beaumont. “He looked a remarkable sight in those clothes.”

Constance laughed. “Dear, dear, Eustace. I miss him dreadfully.”

When her aunt’s laughter turned into huge sobs, and tears rolled down her cheeks, Hope leapt from her place and rushed over to hug her. “Dear Aunt, I am very sorry to cause you such unhappiness. I am afraid my impetuousness will be my undoing. Papa always says so. Please, have my handkerchief.”

“Thank you. I know there is no need to apologise to either of you for my behaviour as neither of you
is bound by propriety.”

Beaumont walked over and rested his hand on her shoulder.
“I think you have been holding back your feelings, Constance, and therefore have not grieved properly. I also think Hope would like to know what you will be doing about her indiscretions.”

“
Nothing, I will do nothing. You are a good natured and kind young woman, Hope. Your mother has brought you up well in spite of her casual nature. I adored my brother when we were growing up, still do, and I see your personality in him. He’s a good father to you, I have no doubt. If Eustace and I had been blessed with children I would have liked them to be as high spirited as you.”

“Oh, dear Aunt, I will try hard to behave properly for the rest of my stay with you. But first we must find Edna and bring her back as she has been wrongly accused of theft and she told me her family depend on her for their
livelihood.”

“I suppose you will be
gallivanting round the poor parts of London searching for her!” Constance chuckled.

“I will search Edna out,” Beaumont said, “there is no
need for Hope to leave here.”

“No, Hope must go too. She has caused Edna to be sent away. She must go and fetch her back.
I suggest you go and dress in Eustace’s clothes and go with Beaumont to find the maid. That way you will have no need of a chaperone. But before you change we will ring for Stevenson and see if he knows her whereabouts.”

“We will try not to walk in the path of a carriage this time, won’t we Hope?”

“What’s this? You did not mention a carriage.”

“
Hope almost stepped in the path of a carriage and fell to the ground when she was coming to ask me for my advice.”

“You poor girl. Did you hurt
yourself?”

Hope had been trying very hard not to allow the pain in her
arm to trouble her. In fact she had regarded it as punishment for what she had done. But as her aunt and Beaumont looked at her sympathetically tears formed in her eyes.

“My dear girl.
” Constance and Beaumont were immediately at her side, encouraging her to sit down and asking where the pain was worse.

“
I fell down with my arm beneath me. It feels bruised, but I’m sure it’s nothing.”

“I insist you show me, Hope,” commanded Aunt Constance, now back to her sterner self.

Hope reluctantly turned back the cuff on her sleeve and a livid bruise showed itself. Beaumont took her hand and inspected the injury.

“
There is no sign of a cut, but the discolouration and lump I can see tell me you must be in agonising pain.” His fingers ran over her flesh causing her to quiver. “But I’m hurting you,” he murmured. “And that’s the very last thing I wish to do.”

“No, you’re not at all,” replied Hope, enjoying his touch and wanting it to last for ever. Then she was aware of her aunt’s gaze on her arm.

“It does look tender, dear. I suppose it is impossible that you should go through all the adventures you have without suffering in some way.” Then Constance pursed her lips and asked, “Is there anything else I haven’t been told?”

“Yes, Aunt, there is one thing.” Hope pulled the grips from her hair and tugged the hair piece out. “I had my hair cut short.”

Constance shook her head. “I will go and lie down. I trust you, Beaumont, to look after my niece and bring both her and Edna safely home.”

Having ascertained Edna’s address, Hope and Beaumont jostled
their way along streets and narrow alleyways until they found it. Hope was amazed at the layout of the areas off the main roads. She had often wondered what the poorer areas looked like and now she knew. Dressed in Uncle Eustace’s ragged clothes, she tried to imagine what his thoughts might have been as he traversed these back alleys. And had Beaumont been with him? She longed to ask him, but her arm was throbbing, her heart was racing and she had myriad thoughts crossing her mind. Just as she was about to request Beaumont to slow his pace, he stopped and pointed. “This is it.” He raised his fist and rapped on the wooden door.

Edna answered his knock and
appeared to almost faint when she glimpsed him and her erstwhile mistress. Hope bent forward and embraced the young girl. “You were wrongly accused and you said nothing.”

“
What could I have said?” replied Edna. “It would have been my word against yours. And I think very highly of you, my lady; I wouldn’t have wanted any trouble for you.”

Beaumont raised his hat and said, “I think Hope has something to say.”

“I’ve confessed to Aunt Constance. She knows what I did. That I dressed as a man in Uncle Eustace’s clothes. Her reaction has astounded me, but I think I’m forgiven or at least on the way to being. I begged that you be allowed to return to your job in her household and she is agreeable.”

“I’m not sure about that,” began Edna.

“Don’t let pride get the better of you,” cautioned Beaumont with the wave of his hand. “Think of your family. Employment brings in money.” He peered behind Edna into the darkness of her home. “How many of you are reliant on your wages? Too many, I’ll warrant. Why don’t you get your belongings and return?”

“
Do you mean I should come back immediately with you?” asked Edna.

Hope considered the question. Edna had been wronged and she must not be bullied into submission. “Come when you are ready,” she said. “I’m looking forward to you being with me again.
We will explain to Aunt Constance you will arrive soon.”

Edna gave a broad smile and
shut the door.

* * *

Back at Aunt Constance’s house, Beaumont waited while Hope changed into a dress. As she descended the stairs her head whirled. She’d had so many escapades in the past days and she felt quite disorientated. If only Mama were here, she thought. She told herself the tears which threatened were on account of the pain in her arm and the relief of Edna returning to the household, but in truth that was not the whole reason. Aunt Constance had surprised her with her reactions to almost everything during this sojourn with her. Uncle Eustace and she must have shared a remarkably close relationship; rather like Mama and Papa, she supposed. If only she could find a companion with whom she could experience that intimacy. Briefly, she thought of Isabella and James Henderson. Would they be close? Or would they perhaps marry and become distant with each other after a time?

The sound of humming made her smile. It was Beaumont. Just like her aunt, he never ceased to amaze her. He must be a busy person, yet he had given no thought to accompanying her to
persuade Edna back. And now he was awaiting her.

“Thank you for helping me to make things right between myself and my aunt. I am indebted to you.” Hope grinned and gave a mock curtsy.

“You are a terrible woman, Hope Richmond,” sighed Beaumont approaching her. “You haven’t even bothered to attach a hair piece.”

Hope’s hand snaked up to her head and she gasped. “I forgot. Do you think it matters now that Aunt Constance knows I’ve been wicked and cut my hair?”

“I don’t care what Constance knows or doesn’t know at this moment. My concern is what you look like.”

“I thought you were of the opinion that short hair became me,” objected Hope, feeling a bit unwell at the thought of incurring Beaumont’s wrath.

“That’s the trouble,” said Beaumont, his voice husky as if he were coming down with a cold. “It becomes you too well.” He came towards her, cupped her face in his hands and delicately brought his lips to hers. As she felt the bristles against her mouth, she felt sure she would fall to the floor. This was far more than she’d ever dared to wish for. Thoughts of her mama, Aunt Constance and anybody else drained from her as she gave herself up to the ecstasy of Beaumont’s embrace.

* * *

Beaumont took his leave shortly afterwards and Hope was confident nothing on the whole earth could make her more happy than the thought of the kiss they’d shared. She fled up the stairs to her rooms and flung herself on the bed reliving over and over their intimate time together. It had been but a moment, yet it had seemed endless. There was no way she could keep the smile off her face and she felt it best if she remain in her room for as long as she could because if she met her aunt she was sure to give herself away. Bouncing off the bed, she examined her appearance in the mirror. Her eyes were shining and her lips were tingling. As she reminisced about why that was, she saw herself blushing.

Then she heard a commot
ion coming from downstairs and shortly afterwards there was a loud knock at her door. When she opened it, Molly stood there jumping from one foot to the other. “Please, my lady, Her Grace asks that you come downstairs immediately. Begging your pardon.” Molly bobbed her head and hurried off.

Oh dear, thought Hope. What have I done now?

As she entered the drawing room she could not believe her eyes. “Mama!”

“Hope!” Her mother held her arms wide and Hope rushed into them.

“Is it really you? I thought you were still in Italy.”

“I wrote to tell you I was coming back. I expect the letter will turn up sometime. Let me look at you.”

Hope stepped back and self-consciously tried to tidy her hair.

“It suits you. Your aunt has told me a little of what has been going on. It seems that your stay in
London has been more exciting than you could have wished.”

“I have so much to tell you, Mama, but where is Papa? Is he here with you?”

“No, he was invited to give some lectures which meant we would be staying away for much longer than we’d planned. I thought it was a good opportunity to return home and see you. And to ensure Constance would be willing to give you a home for some time longer.”

“I am very pleased
you are here.” Hope glanced at her aunt, trusting she hadn’t hurt her feelings. “Aunt Constance has been wonderful of course, but I have missed you.”

Constance smiled.
“Let us have tea and then I will leave you, Prudence, to catch up on all your daughter’s exploits. I wanted to introduce her to some of the most eligible men in London, but I am very much afraid she has befriended someone most unsuitable. As well as being older than she is, he is… how shall I put it… unconventional.”

“How fascinating
.” Prudence took her daughter’s hand and squeezed it reassuringly.

* * *

“He sounds exciting, this Beaumont without a title. I am very much looking forward to making his acquaintance.”

“Please,
Mama, don’t make too much of him. I have told you about him because I like him and we share many interests, but Beaumont and I are friends only and he is travelling to Yorkshire soon for business.” Hope felt herself colouring as she remembered their kiss. Would they have kissed if they were only friends?

“As you will be staying in
London longer than expected he has plenty of time to come back and for you to get to know each other better if I find that he is a suitable beau for my precious daughter. We must attend one of his magic lantern shows. I am pleased Constance hasn’t been too concerned with the correctness expected in London society and has allowed you a certain amount of latitude.”

“She has been
astonishing and I think she is starting to recover from her grief. They must have been a wonderful couple. I didn’t know Uncle Eustace very well, but I wish I had as he was much concerned about the poor and went about in ragged clothing to find out about their lives.”

“Really? That I never knew. He was a remarkable man
and they truly loved each other.”

“And poor Papa had to
battle in order to marry you.”

“Yes, he was expected to marry
a neighbour’s daughter. She was an earl’s daughter like you, but as unlike you in personality as anyone could possibly be. But your dear father and I met at a ball and fell in love. Of course, I was quite unsuitable being the daughter of an untitled gentleman. Your father is determined when he thinks something is worth fighting for and finally we were allowed to marry and eventually I was accepted into the family. I think Constance grew to like me when we knew each other better.” Her mother paused. “I am very pleased to be here and know that you are well and enjoying yourself. We felt guilty about our wonderful trip when we thought of you.”

“I expect I will have plenty of opportunity to travel, but at the moment I am more than happy.”

“We must write to your father and let him know. Now tell me more about how the maids are doing with their learning. And have you heard from Ruth at all?”

After answering her mother’s question
and telling her about the maids’ lessons, Hope went to her room and reached for her journal. She had much to write about.

Mama and I have talked at length and still have plenty to tell each other. She has told me something of the impressive galleries and buildings they have seen and made me laugh when she described characters they have come across. I told her she should have been an actress and she looked wistful and said that it is what she would have most liked to be, but how unsuitable it would have been. Seeing that look of longing in her eyes has made me think that maybe she will let me follow my desire to teach. She is enthusiastic about the lessons I have been giving the maids and says she will join me in the servants’ hall next time I take a class. What will Stevenson think to that? It has been a wonderful day and to make it perfect I received a letter from Ruth.

Hope paused to re-read the short letter from Ruth which was adorned with crossings out and smudges.

Dear Hope,

I
trust this letter finds you well and in good spirits. Mother and Father are both well now and the rest of the family have not cort the influenza. I wud like to return to you as soon as you go home if that wud be akseptible. Is my speling good?

Ruth

Hope smiled affectionately at the letter before resuming writing in her journal
.

It is marvellous Ruth has the confidence to write to me and I will make sure she receives the praise she deserves although it might be quite a while before I return home. My feelings are mixed. I would like to spend some time with Mama and Papa at home, but on the other hand, by staying in London I may have the opportunity to see Beaumont if he returns as Mama suggests he might. How I long to spend time with him.

A repeated tapping on the door stopped her flow of thought. Had Molly come to tell her Beaumont was awaiting her downstairs?

When the maid
entered all thought of Beaumont flew from her head as it was Edna, not Molly, standing before her.

“Edna,
how delighted I am to see you.” She went to her maid, took both her hands and smiled. “Do you forgive me?”

“There is nothing to forgive. I have enjoyed more excitement since you have lived here than in the whole of the rest of my life.”

“I think that may be an exaggeration, but we have enjoyed some stirring exploits together. My day is complete now you have returned. The other great event of today is that my dearest mama has come to stay.”

“All
the way from Italy?” Edna’s eyes widened.

“Yes, but she will be returning to
re-join my papa after her visit here. She would like to meet Beaumont and attend a magic lantern show. Oh, Edna, I can’t stop talking about him.”

“If you will excuse me for saying so, I believe you are taken with him. Possibly even a little in love with him.”

“I think you may be quite right.” Hope sighed.

“Have you told your mother about everything?
Your hair and dressing up as Richard?”

“Indeed I have and she has taken it all
very well. She also told me she always wanted to be an actress.”

Edna’s hand flew to her mouth.

“It’s quite shocking, don’t you think? Edna, you must keep that information to yourself. As Aunt Constance says, we wouldn’t want Lady Padstock to hear.”

“No, I won’t say a word, you can
trust me.”

“I know I can.
You didn’t say a word about why you had Uncle Eustace’s clothes. You protected me and for that I will always think well of you. Now how would you like a reading lesson?”

“That would be very nice.”

“I will go and find Mama as she would like to join us. Do not be shy with her, please. She will be a great help to us. We will see if Stevenson welcomes her into the servants’ hall.”