The Mistletoe Seller. Dilly Court

she could remember, and there had been interminable tea parties either at the vicarage or here at home, when the ladies of the parish gathered together to discuss their charitable actions and exchange gossip. Even as a child it had been obvious to Angel that women like Margaret Edwards, the deacon’s wife, and the good ladies who tried to alleviate the suffering of the poor, were all in awe of Letitia Hardisty, if not actually afraid of her and her sharp tongue.

      Resisting the temptation to rush after the vicar and his wife and slam the door, shutting them out of her life for ever, Angel took a deep breath. Whatever befell her and her aunt in the future, the one good thing to come out of this terrible state of affairs was that Aunt Cordelia would be free to start her life again, away from the tittle-tattle and covert glances of those who were supposed to be her friends. Even so, the future looked bleak and for the first time in her life Angel was scared.

       Chapter Three

      Two days later, Angel stood in the middle of the entrance hall, glancing round at the walls. Ghostly patches on the wallpaper marked the places where paintings and gilt-framed mirrors had hung until the bailiff’s men took them away. The slightest sound echoed through the empty rooms like thunder, and the home she had known all her life was being ripped apart. Strange men had robbed them of everything that was much loved and familiar, and the house itself was to be sold by auction. Where they would go and what they would do was something that Angel had hardly dared to imagine, but now she was facing reality. Childhood was over and she must grow up fast. It was a terrifying prospect.

      The bailiffs had left them with very little other than their personal belongings. Lil had stuffed those haphazardly into three large valises, and the pots and pans from the kitchen were piled into wicker baskets and a tea chest. Lil had packed these herself and had insisted that Gilly must guard them with her life, if necessary. Angel had heard the child sobbing and had gone down to the kitchen to investigate. She found her clutching the chest like a shipwrecked mariner clinging to a floating spar.

      ‘What are you doing?’ Angel demanded.

      ‘She told me not to let no one near this or she’d tan me hide. I know that Lumpy Lil would do it, too.’

      ‘You silly girl, she only meant for you to stop the bailiff’s men from taking everything. I doubt if they’d set much store by old saucepans and chipped china. Get up, for heaven’s sake.’

      Gilly staggered to her feet. ‘I got cramp in me legs thanks to her.’

      ‘You won’t let Miss Heavitree hear you talking like that if you’ve got any sense, and don’t call her Lumpy Lil or she’ll have your guts for garters.’

      ‘Where did you hear that vulgar expression, Angel?’ Cordelia’s shocked tones made Angel spin round to see her aunt standing at the foot of the stairs.

      ‘I’m sorry, Aunt Cordelia. I didn’t know you were there.’

      ‘We mustn’t allow our standards to drop simply because we’re in a difficult situation,’ Cordelia said primly. ‘I want you to come upstairs, Angel. Mr Galloway is here and he has something to tell you.’

      ‘What is it?’ Angel asked anxiously.

      ‘I’ll allow him to tell you, darling. Come along, don’t keep him waiting.’

      Dragging her feet, Angel followed her aunt up the steep staircase. Geoffrey Galloway was waiting for them in the study, which, denuded of its books and furniture, seemed like a different place. The only item left by the bailiff’s men was a chair with a threadbare seat and a castor missing off one leg. Cordelia perched on it, balancing with difficulty. ‘I haven’t told Angel anything, Geoffrey. I think it would be best coming from you.’

      He stood with his back to the fireplace, feet wide apart, hands clasped. ‘You must be aware of the seriousness of the situation in which your aunt finds herself, Angel.’

      ‘Yes, sir.’

      ‘I’ve been thinking it over very carefully, you understand, and your aunt agrees with what I am about to say.’

      Angel knew instantly that his solution was not going to benefit her. She shot a wary glance in her aunt’s direction, but Cordelia was studying the bare floorboards as if they were something new and interesting.

      ‘My sister, Mrs Adams, is also recently widowed,’ Galloway announced in a sonorous tone. ‘Rebecca owns a small house in Maddox Street and she is in need of a genteel lady to be her companion. I think it would suit your aunt admirably.’

      Angel turned to her aunt. ‘Is this what you want, Aunt Cordelia?’

      ‘My darling, what choice do I have?’ Cordelia met Angel’s gaze with a tremulous smile. ‘It’s very kind of Mr Galloway to go to so much trouble on our account, and I have met Mrs Adams on a couple of occasions. She seems a very agreeable lady.’

      ‘Am I to go with you, Aunt?’

      ‘No, Angel,’ Galloway said firmly. ‘My sister is childless and she loves to travel. It would not be appropriate for you to live with your aunt, but of course you may visit her sometimes.’

      ‘What is to become of me, Mr Galloway?’ Angel met his stern gaze squarely, without flinching.

      ‘You are fortunate to have been brought up like a young lady. Mrs Wilding has been more than generous in making sure you have had a good education, and you know how to behave in polite society.’

      ‘What Mr Galloway is trying to tell you, my love, is that he’s found a suitable place for you with a good family, where I hope you will be as happy as you have been here, with me.’ Cordelia held out her hand. ‘I hate the thought of being parted from you, Angel, but I hope and pray that this is just a temporary arrangement.’

      Angel refused to be placated. ‘Am I to be a servant like Lil?’

      ‘No, definitely not.’ Cordelia’s lips trembled. ‘I wouldn’t allow such a thing.’ She cast a beseeching look at Galloway. ‘Tell her, please. You know more about the Grimes family than I do.’

      ‘Phileas Grimes is a client of mine, known to me for many years. He is a wealthy man who’s made his fortune from buying tracts of land in the East End for building. He has a daughter about your age, and he is often away from home.’

      ‘So we are both to live with strangers,’ Angel said slowly. ‘Aunt Cordelia is going to stay with your sister, and I am going to …’ she paused. ‘Where exactly is this house? Is it in London?’

      ‘Ah, there you have spotted the best part of the plan.’ Galloway beamed at her, puffing out his chest. ‘Mr Grimes owns a lovely old house in the Essex countryside. You will have plenty of freedom and you will share lessons in art and music with his daughter. It will be an idyllic existence away from the dirt and disease of the East End.’

      Angel threw herself down on her knees beside her aunt, clutching both her hands in a desperate grip. ‘Don’t let him separate us, Aunt Cordelia. You are more important to me than anyone who might claim to be my real mama. Please tell him that you will not be parted from me.’

      Cordelia’s eyes filled with tears and she raised Angel’s hands to her lips. ‘If only I could, darling. I would do anything to keep us together, but you must see that it’s just not possible at the moment. I’m penniless, my love. The money from my jewellery has been spent on food and necessities and now everything has gone and I can’t support myself, let alone you, but Geoffrey has promised that Lil can go with you, and Mrs Adams has a place for Gilly in her household. We will all be taken care of, but I hope in the future we will be together again. This isn’t for ever, darling girl.’

      Dazed and struggling to come to terms with the sudden change in events, Angel rose slowly to her feet. ‘And if I refuse? What happens then?’

      Galloway’s lips tightened to a thin line beneath his quivering