Master of His Fate. Barbara Taylor Bradford

stood up, thrust out her hand. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Clive.’

      ‘And you too, Miss Malvern.’

      At this moment, Parker returned once more, leading another young woman to the drawing room. He announced, ‘Miss Trevalian has arrived, madame.’

      Once introductions had been made, the four elegant women sat down in chairs grouped near the French doors. These stood open, showing a view of the summer garden and allowing fresh air to circulate in the room.

      Delia looked at her friends. ‘Welcome. I’m so happy you are here. And before we start speaking about the project, I did want to inform you that Miss Malvern’s father has made a very generous donation, my husband and father have also donated, and I’ve garnered another significant amount made up of smaller donations from members of my family. So not a bad start, wouldn’t you say?’

      Vera Clive nodded. ‘My husband has given me a cheque for five hundred, I’m happy to tell you. And it is a very good start indeed.’

      ‘Thank you, Vera, and please thank Rupert on our behalf,’ Delia said.

      Claudia Trevalian spoke up. ‘And I am giving the same amount, Delia.’ She opened her reticule, took out an envelope and passed it to Delia.

      ‘Thank you. How generous you’ve both been.’ Delia placed the envelopes on an occasional table next to her chair. Her eyes swept over her friends, and she began. ‘Last year Alexis told me a story that so appalled and disturbed me, I immediately agreed with her when she said she wanted to do something to help abused women. Mostly living in the East End. To start a charity, in fact.’

      Glancing at Alexis, who sat opposite her, she continued. ‘Will you tell Vera and Claudia the story please, Alexis?’

      ‘Of course,’ Alexis said. ‘As you are no doubt aware, my father owns the Malvern Market in Camden. Last year, he went on one of his regular visits to the market to meet with stallholders, and one of them – Jack Holden – approached him. He wanted to know if my father knew of any safe shelters for women in distress.’

      Alexis paused for a moment, shifting on the edge of the chair. ‘My father did not, and he asked Jack Holden why he needed this information. Seemingly, a neighbour of the Holdens had come to their home late one night seeking help. She had been so badly beaten that they knew they had to get her to the nearest hospital at once. Which they did. The poor woman had been attacked violently by her husband, and for such a long time that she had massive internal bleeding. Sadly, she died in the hospital later that week. Mr Holden’s startling comment to my father that abusive husbands were ‘two a penny’, and that they exist all over different areas of London, shocked Papa. He recounted all this to me, and so I went to see Mr Holden to gather more facts. I decided there and then I was going to find a house and turn it into a refuge for these distressed and helpless women.’

      ‘That is very commendable of you,’ Vera Clive remarked. ‘You can count on me to help you.’

      ‘And I would also like to volunteer,’ Claudia said. ‘Can we perhaps look for the right place together?’

      ‘I found the house six months ago,’ Alexis explained. ‘And I bought it. The interiors needed a great deal of work, and I had to add baths. And also water closets. I can only say thank goodness for Thomas Crapper and his products. I bought his WCs, which work well.’

      ‘That must have been a very expensive operation,’ Vera said, a frown furrowing her brow. ‘Perhaps we should give you some of the money we’ve donated to help with these costs.’

      ‘No, no, I don’t need it, but thank you for the offer. You see, Malvern and Malvern, our family company, does a lot of building in the course of the year. And I was able to negotiate some excellent deals with the building firms we constantly use. I have a legacy from my late mother and I paid for the refurbishing of the house with some of that. I think she would have approved.’

      ‘The good news is that Alexis now has the house ready,’ Delia interjected. ‘And we have found a good woman who will be in charge of it. She is helping us to put together a staff of five women, three of whom will live there with her. She’s called Madeleine Thompson; she will be the manager of the house.’

      ‘Well, you’ve certainly done an awful lot already. When can we see the house? And what can we do to help?’ Claudia asked.

      ‘I can take you to see the house any day next week,’ Alexis said. ‘It’s in Whitechapel near Commercial Street. Just round the corner, before you come to Whitechapel High Street. There is plenty of room there. It’s simply furnished, and this just occurred to me – if you’re thinking of throwing any pieces away, consider the house first.’

      ‘Oh, goodness me! I have several comfortable chairs and a sofa I want to get rid of,’ Vera said. ‘I’ll arrange for them to be taken over whenever it’s convenient for you.’

      ‘Thank you very much,’ Alexis said. ‘You see, Delia and I don’t want the funds we’ve raised to be used for purchasing furniture and the like. Rather we need the money to pay for food, medicines, and Mrs Thompson’s wages, of course.’

      ‘What about the other women who will work there?’ Claudia asked. ‘Will they be paid also?’

      ‘The three who will live in are former battered women and in need of a roof over their heads – a safe place to live. Since they have that, we will be paying them only a small amount of money, but they will get all of their meals,’ Alexis told them. ‘They too want to help women who have suffered.’

      Delia said, ‘There’s another thing you can do, Vera, and you too, Claudia. Discarded clothing would be most useful, especially coats, cloaks, shawls, skirts, and blouses. Nothing too fancy. And even undergarments. When the women come to the house, they will literally have nothing at all with them except the clothes they’re wearing.’

      At this moment, Parker arrived in the doorway and looked across at Delia, a questioning expression on his face. She merely nodded her head, and he hurried away.

      ‘Parker is about to bring us tea and biscuits,’ she said, smiling at her guests. ‘If you have any more questions, we will answer them. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re willing to join with us. And I know Alexis is as well. All suggestions are welcome.’

      Claudia, looking thoughtful for a moment or two, finally asked, ‘The two other women who agreed to help … are they volunteers?’

      ‘Yes, they are,’ Delia replied. ‘The three who will be living in will cook and clean, and do everything they can to help the battered women.’

      ‘What happens if they fall ill?’ Vera looked from Delia to Alexis. ‘Will you pay for a doctor?’

      ‘Yes, we will. And, if necessary, we will send them to hospital. After all, we are a safe house offering temporary protection, and helping the women to get on their feet. We can’t look after the sick. If possible, we want them to move on and start a new life.’

      Parker and two young maids entered the drawing room, placed several trays on a table nearby. Parker poured the tea and the maids served the ladies, and the butler followed with a plate of biscuits.

      Once they were alone again, Vera asked, ‘What about bed linen and towels? I can have my housekeeper go through our linen closet. I’m sure we can spare quite a lot of items.’

      ‘That’s very kind of you,’ Alexis nodded. ‘Delia and I did the same thing, and Delia’s mother paid for some beds.’

      Delia said, ‘This is all turning out very well, and I think it goes without saying that we will literally take anything you can give—’

      ‘Or cadge,’ Alexis cut in, happy that Delia’s friends were so enthusiastic.

       SEVEN

      Alexis