Dilly Court - The Christmas Rose

He stood up abruptly. ‘Well, if you’re sure, I’d better be on my way.’

Eugene was already on his feet, as if anticipating Festus’ sudden departure, and he went to open the door. ‘Goodbye, sir. It’s always a pleasure to meet my late uncle’s friends.’ They shook hands and Festus nodded to Rose as he left the office.

Eugene closed the door. ‘Well then, Miss Munday. It seems as though you’ve been left in the lurch, yet again. Does this mean you have nowhere to sleep tonight?’

‘It would have been so, but I met a lady who helped me last evening. She didn’t have to go out of her way to assist a stranger, but she allowed me to share her lodgings and bought me breakfast. There are some generous people, if you’re lucky enough to meet them.’

‘Will you be able to stay with this person until you find work and a place of your own?’

‘I expect so.’ Rose raised herself from the chair. She was still stiff after spending an uncomfortable night in Cora’s room, although she was not going to admit that to Eugene, who, despite his claim to be sympathetic, still appeared to find her situation amusing.

‘If you would like to give me your address I’ll contact you should anything come up.’

‘The house is in Black Raven Court – I didn’t notice the number – but I think most people there know Cora Smith.’

He frowned. ‘I know the name from somewhere. It will come back to me. As to Black Raven Court – it’s not the most salubrious neighbourhood, especially for a young lady like yourself.’

‘I’m hardly a lady, sir. I spent my first nine years living in a hut in my father’s boatyard in Chelsea, and then we went to Australia and I grew up in a mining town. I think I know how to look after myself. Anyway, I’m sorry to have wasted your time. It really wasn’t my idea to come here.’ Rose walked to the door and reached out to clasp the handle, but Eugene moved swiftly and laid his hand on hers.

‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you, and of course I’ll do anything I can to help. It’s time for luncheon, by my reckoning, and I’d be honoured if you would join me for a meal at the Cheshire Cheese where they do excellent chops and steaks.’

Rose was going to refuse, but her stomach rumbled – it was a long time since breakfast and the slice of cake at the Parkers’ had been very small. It would be foolish to turn down the offer of a free meal, and the cab fare to Elder Street had depleted her dwindling supply of cash yet further.

‘Thank you,’ she said stiffly. ‘That would be nice.’

Outside the cold air hit her like a slap in the face. She had left Bendigo on a warm spring day and, even though she had known that it would be late autumn when she arrived in London, she had not been prepared for such a stark contrast. The clothes she had packed were not really suitable for a spell of wet and chilly weather, but Max had promised to buy her a whole new wardrobe, one befitting the wife of an army officer. She had imagined elegant gowns and smart riding outfits, although at this moment she would have given anything for a waxed drover’s coat and a pair of woollen gloves.

‘It’s not far,’ Eugene said cheerfully.

‘I should have brought some warmer clothes with me. But I left in rather a hurry.’

‘You’re a very plucky young woman.’ He shot a sideways glance at her. ‘I look forward to hearing about your travels, and the man who inspired you to come halfway round the world on your own.’

Rose’s teeth were chattering and she needed all her breath simply to keep up with him. She nodded and managed a smile, but it was the thought of a hot meal that kept her placing one foot in front of the other, and fortunately it was not far to Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese . The pub was situated in Wine Office Court, a narrow alleyway off Fleet Street, and the interior, as Eugene had said, was warm and welcoming, with whitewashed walls, beamed ceilings and a roaring log fire. The enticing aroma of roast meat mingled with the fragrance of wine and the sturdy smell of ale and tobacco smoke. But the main thing as far as Rose was concerned was the warmth, and the flickering firelight was both comforting and homely.

The waiters greeted Eugene like an old friend, and they were shown to a secluded table behind a pillar. ‘I can recommend the steaks they do here.’ Eugene waited until Rose was settled before taking a seat. ‘Or perhaps you would prefer chops or pie – everything is well cooked and tasty.’ He turned to the waiter. ‘A bottle of claret, if you please, and I’ll have my usual. What about you, Rose? I may call you Rose, mayn’t I?’

She nodded. ‘I’ll have what you’re having.’

‘A good choice.’ Eugene dismissed the waiter with a wave of his hand and a friendly smile. ‘You’ll feel better when you’ve eaten.’ He sat back in his seat as another waiter hurried over to pour the wine. ‘Now tell me about yourself, Rose. I’ve never met a young lady adventurer before.’

Rose eyed him suspiciously, but the twinkle in his eyes was irresistible and she began to relax. Sipping the warming red wine she found herself telling him everything from the time when she had first met Max at her father’s boatyard on the Thames, through her childhood to the moment when her relationship with Max had changed for ever. Then, of course, there was the pressing matter of the Captain’s House and the men who were living there with, or without, Mrs Colville’s permission.

‘So, you think these people are squatters,’ Eugene said slowly. ‘There must be someone at Colville Shipping who handles the family’s private affairs. It shouldn’t be too difficult to track him down, and persuade him to evict the trespassers. You would certainly be better off living there than in one of Regan’s brothels.’

‘You know him?’ Rose could hardly believe her ears.

‘He’s notorious,’ Eugene said calmly. ‘The authorities close him down and take him into custody, but somehow he gets away with a fine and he just starts up again at a different address. There are plenty of men like Regan in London.’

‘Oh!’ Rose was at a loss for words, but by this time the food had arrived and she ate hungrily, earning praise from Eugene, who said that he liked to see a girl enjoying a good meal, instead of young ladies who picked at their food like birds. He questioned her further but managed to do so without seeming to interrogate, and she found it surprisingly easy to tell him how she had come to be in such a difficult situation.

‘But,’ she said, replacing her knife and fork on the plate, ‘I want to prove myself and not just to impress Max. I realise now that I want to be someone in my own right. I didn’t choose to go to Australia; it was decided for me. I didn’t ask to be raised by Sadie and her husband, that just happened, and I didn’t expect to fall in love with Max. It was always Jimmy, his younger brother, who is now in the navy, who was my special friend while we were growing up.’

Eugene drained the last of his wine. ‘And you haven’t seen Max for two years?’

She eyed him warily. ‘I know that sounds a very long time, but we’ve corresponded regularly. He writes the most beautiful letters.’

‘Hmm,’ Eugene said slowly. ‘A soldier and a poet.’

‘Now you’re laughing at me again. You seem to find my situation very comical.’

‘No, indeed I do not. In fact, I regard it as extremely serious.’ He nodded to the waiter, who appeared suddenly to clear the table. ‘Now, more importantly, Rose. Would you like to sample the treacle pudding? I can recommend it.’

‘Oh, yes, please. Sadie used to make lovely suet puddings with either jam or treacle.’ Rose hesitated. ‘I will, but only if you will, too. I don’t want to be a glutton.’