Dilly Court - Ragged Rose

‘Are you all right?’ A voice from far away brought Rose back to consciousness, and she opened her eyes, focusing with difficulty on the stranger’s face.

‘You fainted,’ he said calmly, ‘but you’re all right now.’ He held a glass of water to her lips. ‘Take small sips. You’ll soon feel better.’

‘I never swoon,’ she said shakily. ‘It must have been the heat.’

‘It was just a bit of fun.’ Carter shifted uncomfortably on his chair. ‘If the girl can’t take a joke she shouldn’t be working in an establishment like this. I’ll call Fancello over and tell him so.’ He raised his hand but the stranger caught him by the wrist and forced his arm to his side.

‘I don’t think that’s a good idea. I saw what occurred, and if I make a complaint you will find yourself barred from this saloon.’

Rose glanced over her shoulder, but Cora had eyes only for Gerard and he had the appearance of a man who was spellbound by a pretty face and winning ways. The other patrons were intent on their own pleasure and none of them was paying any attention to the drama being enacted at Carter’s table. His friends were trying to placate him, but Carter himself was too drunk to see sense. He staggered to his feet. ‘I should call you out, sir. You can’t talk to me in that insolent tone. Who are you, anyway?’

The stranger had been kneeling at Rose’s side, but when he stood up he was a good head taller than Carter, and although not heavily built he had the look of a man who knew how to handle himself. His winged eyebrows drew together in an ominous frown. ‘My name is Bennett Sharpe, barrister-at-law.’

Carter’s florid features paled visibly and he puffed out his cheeks. ‘What do I care what profession you follow, sir? You insulted me.’

‘You took advantage of this young lady.’ Bennett’s deep voice held a note of authority that did not seem to have been lost on the people seated around them, and they shifted uncomfortably in their seats, exchanging wary glances.

Rose clutched his arm. ‘It’s all right, sir. I’m truly grateful for your intervention, but I’m perfectly fine now. It must have been the heat. I beg you not to trouble yourself any further.’

Bennett silenced her with a single glance. ‘I know what I saw, and I dislike bullies.’ He turned to Carter. ‘You are in the wrong, sir. An apology to this young lady is required and then we’ll consider the matter closed.’

‘For God’s sake, say you’re sorry, old man.’ Carter’s vociferous friend slapped him on the back.

Out of the corner of her eye Rose had seen Fancello making his way towards them, and she held her breath. If Carter made a complaint against her it would not bode well. She tugged at Bennett’s sleeve. ‘Please say no more.’

He followed her gaze. ‘Is that the proprietor of this establishment?’

‘Yes, it is,’ Carter said angrily. ‘And I intend to complain about your behaviour, Mister Lawyer. Let’s see whose side Fancello takes. I am a regular and valued patron.’

Rose was about to release her hold on his arm, but Bennett forestalled her by laying his hand on hers. A smile transformed his stern features as he greeted Fancello. ‘A bottle of your best champagne, please, mine host. This pretty lady has agreed to share it with me.’

Fancello’s frown was wiped away in an instant. ‘Of course, sir. At once.’ He signalled to one of the waiters.

‘I say,’ Carter protested as Fancello chose to ignore him. ‘Deuced cheek.’

Bennett led Rose to a table on the far side of the room. ‘You will be more comfortable here,’ he said, pulling out a chair. ‘Take a seat, Miss Perkins.’

Rose stared at him aghast. ‘How do you know my name? Who are you, sir?’

‘Please sit down and try to look as though you’re enjoying yourself. Signor Fancello is staring at us even as he decides how much to overcharge me for a bottle of inferior quality champagne.’

Rose sank down on the spindly gilt chair. Her mouth was dry and her heart was racing. ‘You told me your name, Mr Sharpe, but you have the advantage over me.’

‘I have accepted the brief to defend your brother.’ Bennett took the seat opposite her. ‘I wanted to find out as much as I could of his background, and it was William himself who advised me to seek you out.’

‘Of course I’ll do everything I can to help my brother, but how did you find this place? No one knows that Cora and I work here.’

‘Todd Scully is one of the best private detectives in London. I believe you are acquainted with him.’

‘I’ve met him only once, and that was today.’ Rose lowered her voice. ‘Are you telling me that he has been spying on us?’

‘That’s a bit harsh. I prefer to call it gathering information in order to make a good case for your brother.’

‘If you’re defending Billy you must believe that he is innocent.’

‘What I believe or don’t believe is immaterial. My job is to convince a judge and jury of his innocence.’ Bennett leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes intent on her face, as if he were capable of reading her innermost thoughts. ‘This case interests me. I would normally leave it to a solicitor to provide me with the facts, but this is no ordinary brief. I find it hard to believe that a young man like William would kill a dear friend.’

‘He is a good man. I’ll never believe ill of my brother.’ Rose returned his intense gaze stare for stare, but was the first to look away. There was something about Bennett Sharpe that was unsettling.

‘He is lucky to have two such devoted sisters,’ Bennett said in a low voice. He looked as though he was about to say more but at that moment the waiter arrived with their champagne.

He uncorked the bottle with a theatrical flourish and filled two glasses, but then in answer to a summons from another client he scurried off with his tailcoat flapping like the wings of an agitated crow.

Bennett handed a glass to Rose and raised the other in a silent toast before taking a sip. He shook his head. ‘As I thought. A poor vintage being sold at a ridiculous price. However, that doesn’t matter. I came here tonight in the hope of meeting you and your sister.’

‘Wouldn’t it have been easier to visit us at my aunt’s house? I’m sure you already know the reason for our keeping this from our parents. What I don’t understand is why you felt it necessary to see us here.’

‘When Scully told me that two such respectable young ladies were prepared to risk their reputations by performing in a third-rate saloon, I wanted to see for myself.’

‘We’re working here to raise money to pay you for defending our brother, which, as it happens, will also pay for this bottle of champagne.’ Rose swallowed a mouthful and pulled a face: it was sharp and slightly bitter, and the bubbles tickled her nose.

‘You are not what I expected, Miss Perkins.’

‘Please don’t use my real name. Cora and I go by the name of the Sunshine Sisters.’

‘I’m sorry, of course you’re right, Miss Sunshine.’

She eyed him curiously. ‘What were you expecting?’

His eyes were alight with amusement, and his lips twitched. ‘I dare say you would be offended if I told you that my idea of a clergyman’s daughter was as unlike you and your sister as could be.’

‘I’m not sure whether that’s a compliment or an insult.’

‘It was certainly not intended to be an insult, but I imagined you and your sister to be prim and proper young ladies who had been brought up to fear the Lord and serve the community. I was worried that my presence might be too much for such delicate sensibilities.’

‘You must have been terribly disappointed,’ Rose said, trying to keep a straight face and failing.