The Sweeping Saga Collection: Poppy’s Dilemma, The Dressmaker’s Daughter, The Factory Girl. Nancy Carson

smiled politely.

      One or two of the younger people were beginning to dance and the band played with more enthusiasm in consequence. One set of dances finished and, after the couples had returned to their tables for a refresher, the leader announced another. Poppy caught the eye of Bellamy Crawford and, as he smiled, her heart went into her mouth. It was not for him, though, it was for Robert, because he reminded her so much of him. She raised her eyebrows at him and he took it as a signal, making his way towards her at once.

      ‘Excuse me, Miss Silk, you promised me your first dance. May I claim it now?’

      Poppy looked apologetically at Captain Tyler. ‘If you will excuse me, Captain …’

      Captain Tyler smiled grudgingly and nodded. He turned to Aunt Phoebe. ‘What an enchanting princess you have captured as your companion. Do I have your permission to call on her?’

      ‘You may call on me, Cecil,’ Aunt Phoebe replied astutely. ‘But I suspect you’ll be well down the queue when it comes to calling on Poppy.’

      ‘I hope you’re not expecting a brilliant dancer,’ Poppy said, as Bellamy led her to the floor.

      ‘I wouldn’t know a good dancer from a bad one, Miss Silk,’ Bellamy replied. ‘But it’s a perfect excuse to hold a pretty girl around the waist and get to know her a little.’

      As they began waltzing, she smiled up at him, imagining she was looking up at Robert. It was very disturbing being held by a young man so much like him. He was not quite as tall as Robert, but his eyes were similar, the way they crinkled so appealingly when he smiled. The nose was akin, too, as was the shape of his face. But the mouth was different. Oliver, the older brother, was blessed with a mouth more like Robert’s. All the same, she could not help wondering if it would be as pleasant to be kissed by this younger brother.

      ‘Where are you from, Miss Silk? We certainly haven’t met before.’

      ‘Oh, I’ve lived in Dudley for a year or two now,’ she said ambiguously, gliding across the floor as gracefully as she could. ‘Before that I lived all over the place.’

      ‘I see. Ever lived abroad?’

      ‘No.’

      ‘Your family isn’t army then?’

      ‘Oh, no.’ This was dangerous ground. She desperately needed to sidetrack him. ‘I understand you have a younger sister, Mr Crawford, but do you have any other brothers besides Oliver?’ It was the first thing that came into her head.

      ‘Indeed I do. Robert. Robert is older than me but younger than Oliver. He’s twenty-four. I’m twenty-two.’

      ‘Is he much like you, this Robert?’ She became confused over her footwork and they had to start the sequence of steps again. ‘Sorry, Mr Crawford. I told you I wasn’t much of a dancer.’

      He smiled his absolution. ‘No matter, Miss Silk. I’m as much to blame … People say we are alike, Robert and I, though for the life of me I can’t see it meself.’

      ‘Is he here? I haven’t met him, I don’t think.’

      Bellamy laughed. ‘Good God, no. Poor devil’s in Brazil of all places. He felt the need to visit the wide-open spaces of South America. He’ll probably come back with severe malaria or beri-beri, I shouldn’t wonder. Always provided he doesn’t decide to stay and become a cowboy.’

      ‘Brazil?’ Poppy said, feigning ignorance. ‘Have you heard from him since he went to Brazil?’

      ‘A short letter to our mother and father every month or so, I think.’

      ‘And is he all right, did he say?’

      ‘I believe so.’

      Poppy breathed a discreet sigh of relief. ‘What’s he doing in Brazil?’

      ‘Surveying for a new railroad. Damn fool. He should join the family firm like Oliver and me instead of trying to make a name for himself. Then there’d be no need to risk life and limb in some godforsaken hole like Brazil. They say there are untold dangers out there. But let’s not talk about him. Let’s talk about you, Miss Silk.’

      ‘Oh, I’m not that interesting, Mr Crawford.’

      ‘Call me Bellamy, eh?’ he said jovially. ‘And I’ll call you Poppy. Poppy’s such a sweet name. It suits you. Tell me, Poppy, do you think Aunt Phoebe would mind if I took you home afterwards?’

      ‘It’s very kind of you to offer, but I wouldn’t dream of leaving Aunt Phoebe to go home by herself.’

      ‘I daresay she’ll have Clay to watch out for her, won’t she?’

      ‘But Clay will be sitting outside on the driver’s seat. Aunt Phoebe will be inside. No, I couldn’t.’ She failed to say that Esther and Dolly would also be travelling back with her, since they were at the party too.

      ‘Then may I call on you?’

      ‘Yes … If you want to, I suppose … If you’re married or engaged though, you needn’t bother.’

      He hooted with laughter. ‘Me married? Indeed not. Nor even engaged. Haven’t met the right girl, Poppy … Till tonight, that is …’

      The dance finished and Poppy returned to Aunt Phoebe’s side. Captain Cecil Tyler was still talking to her, along with another woman who was plainly dressed, but imposing.

      ‘Poppy … You remember Mrs Green …’

      They had met before.

      ‘Mrs Green,’ Poppy greeted and offered her hand. ‘How lovely to see you again.’

      ‘Mrs Green and I have been discussing you, Poppy. We were schoolteachers together some years ago, as I think I must have surely told you. She is connected with Baylies’s Charity School in Tower Street. It’s a sort of Ragged School, of course. They need some help in the classroom and Mrs Green wondered if you might be willing.’

      ‘Me?’ Poppy looked at Mrs Green for confirmation.

      ‘Yes,’ Mrs Green replied. ‘Mrs Newton tells me you are an able reader and writer. We have placed advertisements in the Ten Towns Messenger for a teacher’s help, but to no avail. I am certain your qualities could be put to good use. Of course, a knowledge of singing as well would be indispensable.’

      ‘It would be a wonderful opportunity for you, my dear,’ Aunt Phoebe urged.

      ‘But I can’t sing. I don’t know a thing about singing.’

      ‘I’ll teach you to sing,’ Aunt Phoebe said, as if it would be the easiest thing in the world. ‘Not only would you be continuing to learn in this school, but you would also be gaining invaluable experience. Experience which could possibly lead to a full-blown teaching position somewhere. You would also be earning a little extra money. You should consider it very carefully, my dear.’

      ‘D’you really think so, Aunt Phoebe?’

      ‘My dear, I would not be so keen on you doing it if I did not think so.’

      Poppy saw Bellamy Crawford making his way towards her again. ‘Very well, Aunt.’ It was time to postpone this conversation lest she miss the opportunity to dance with Bellamy again. ‘We can talk about it more tomorrow, maybe.’

      ‘Indeed we shall.’

      ‘And thank you, Mrs Green, for thinking about me.’

      ‘You are an obvious candidate, Miss Silk.’

      Bellamy arrived at her side. Smiling affably, he acknowledged Aunt Phoebe, Mrs Green and Captain Tyler in turn. ‘Would you mind greatly if I robbed you of Miss Silk’s company?’ he said.

      Captain Tyler’s expression did not change, but the two women flashed knowing looks at each other and smiled their assent before Bellamy turned to Poppy.

      ‘Poppy,