Dilly Court - The Christmas Rose

‘Sit down, Rose. Let’s see if pearls look best, or maybe a simple velvet choker.’

Rose had learned that to argue with either of the Sheldon siblings was a waste of time and she sat down as obediently as a schoolgirl. She could hear Eugene calling to them from the top of the stairs, but she allowed Cecilia to select several necklaces, settling in the end for a gold chain with a pearl and peridot pendant and matching earrings.

‘There, that’s absolutely splendid. The peridots are virtually the same colour as your eyes.’ Cecilia stood back to admire her handiwork. ‘What do you think, Lindon?’

‘Very nice, Miss Cecilia. Just right for a young lady who isn’t out yet.’

Rose looked from one to the other. ‘That sounds as if I’ve been in prison.’

Lindon raised her eyebrows and Cecilia stifled a giggle.

‘Don’t you know anything about the London Season?’ Cecilia threw up her hands.

‘Maybe you should explain later – the guvnor is growing impatient.’

‘Stop calling him that silly name. He’s Eugene or Mr Sheldon, and for tonight I suggest you use his first name, or it will make a mockery of the whole evening.’ Cecilia turned to Lindon. ‘Fetch our wraps, please. We’ll miss the first act if we don’t hurry.’

Cecilia had been right – heads turned to stare at the two elegant young women who accompanied Eugene Sheldon. Rose was embarrassed to be the centre of attention, but Cecilia was apparently accustomed to creating a grand entrance, and Eugene looked positively dashing in his black tailcoat, bronze silk waistcoat and pristine white shirt. Rose was acutely aware of the admiring glances he received from the ladies present, but Eugene himself seemed oblivious to the sensation he was causing. He stopped every now and then to exchange pleasantries with the men who were standing in small groups, chatting and laughing as if they had known each other all their lives.

‘They’re gentlemen of the press,’ Cecilia said in a whisper as they took their seats. ‘You’d think they were bosom friends, but they would cut each other’s throats if it meant they could be the first to make the headlines.’

Rose was prevented from questioning her further as the orchestra began tuning up and the lights dimmed. Eugene made his way down the aisle and sat down beside her.

‘You’ve created quite a stir, Munday. You polish up like new in that gown.’

‘Hush,’ Cecilia said sternly. ‘The opera is about to start.’

Eugene pulled a face. ‘Wake me up at the interval, Munday. I’m relying on you to get the gist of the story, because I can’t stand this sort of thing.’ He closed his eyes and bowed his head.

Rose glanced anxiously at Cecilia, but her attention was fixed on the stage as the curtain was raised and the overture commenced. As the story unfolded and the music swelled, filling the pale yellow and golden auditorium with mellifluous sound, Rose found herself entranced and enthralled. She barely noticed the gentle snores emanating from Eugene with the rise and fall of his chest, and it was only at the interval that she realised people around them were pointing and laughing. She dug him hard in the ribs.

‘Wake up, Guvnor,’ she hissed. ‘Everyone’s looking at you.’

Cecilia leaned over Rose to prod her brother. ‘Gene, you’re making a fool of yourself and a spectacle of us.’

Eugene opened his eyes. ‘Is it over?’

Cecilia smacked him with her fan. ‘You philistine.’

‘It’s the interval,’ Rose whispered. ‘You were snoring, Guvnor.’

‘I was just resting my eyes.’ Eugene rose to his feet. ‘I’m going to the bar for a tot of whisky. Would you ladies like to join me?’

Cecilia sat bolt upright. ‘No, you’ve embarrassed me enough this evening.’

‘What about you, Munday? You might hear a bit of gossip you could use.’

Rose glanced at Cecilia’s disapproving profile. She was bound to offend one or the other, but if she wanted to be taken seriously as a reporter she knew what she had to do. She stood up, placing the programme on her seat. ‘Yes, all right, Guvnor.’ She was close behind him as he joined the stream of people making their way up the aisle.

‘You might like to start the article with a few words about the splendid electric lighting,’ Eugene said in a low voice as they edged their way towards the bar.

‘It is amazing. Do you think it will catch on?’

‘Almost certainly, and I’ll install electricity at Greenfields, my property in the country, as soon as it becomes possible.’ Eugene placed a protective arm around Rose’s shoulders as they reached the crush at the entrance to the bar.

Rose glanced inside at the sea of male bodies and she refused to move. ‘I think I’d better wait out here. It doesn’t look as though women are welcome in the bar.’

‘Nonsense, you’re with me, Munday. You’re a newspaper man now and you’ll find yourself in places where other females wouldn’t dare to tread.’ He propelled her through the throng of men clamouring for drinks.

Rose tried to look unconcerned, but she felt the colour flooding her cheeks and the remarks she overheard were not flattering.

Eugene ordered a glass of champagne and a whisky and soda, ignoring the disapproving looks from the barman.

‘There you are, Munday.’ He pressed the champagne glass into her hand and raised his drink in a toast. ‘Here’s to your future success.’

‘You shouldn’t bring a lady into a place like this.’ A distinguished-looking man with silver hair and a waxed moustache turned his head to glare at Eugene. ‘We have to draw the line somewhere, Sheldon.’

‘This young woman is a fledgling reporter on my newspaper,’ Eugene said loudly. ‘If anyone has anything to say, then say it to my face.’

A sudden hush seemed to suck the air from the crowded bar.

Rose could feel the undercurrent of resentment swelling like the incoming tide and she raised her glass. ‘I drink to your health, gentlemen. I might be the first female newsperson to enter a predominantly male domain, but I won’t be the last.’ She downed a mouthful of champagne, placed the glass on the counter and marched out of the bar, but when she reached the foyer her courage ebbed and her knees threatened to give way beneath her.

‘Well said, Munday.’ Eugene had followed her and he gave her a brief hug. ‘Maybe I should have patted you on the back as if you were a chap, but you’re a sight for sore eyes. No wonder the fellows were confused.’

‘I shouldn’t have spoken out like that. I’m sorry, Guvnor.’

‘Nonsense, you’ve just written your own headline. Wait there, I’ll fetch my sister and we’ll take a cab to the office. This story will be on the front page in the morning, I can see it now.’ He paused, smiling ruefully. ‘Sorry, Munday, I was forgetting – this is your story. You can call it what you like. Think about it while I get Cissie and retrieve our coats from the cloakroom. You and the redoubtable Millicent Fawcett have a lot in common, but this is your big moment.’

Rose waited anxiously, trying hard to look unconcerned, but she knew she was attracting attention for all the wrong reasons, and she tried to ignore the salacious remarks she received from one man who had obviously drunk far more than was good for him. It was a relief when Eugene appeared, followed by a sulky-looking Cecilia.

‘This is ridiculous, Gene,’ Cecilia snapped. ‘Walking out in the interval is stupid and very bad manners.’

‘Nonsense. This is Munday’s chance to get her piece in the Monday morning paper. The other chaps will do the same thing. Wait there, I’ll get a cab.’ He hurried out into the street.

‘You shouldn’t encourage him,’ Cecilia said, sighing heavily. ‘Gene always manages to create a stir wherever we go.’