Ragged Rose. Dilly Court

had discovered his one weakness; Joshua Hart was hopelessly in love with Cora, who barely acknowledged his existence.

      ‘You are up and about early, Rose.’ Joshua replaced the chalice he had been polishing in readiness for communion. His smile faded. ‘Is anything wrong?’

      ‘I need your help, Joshua.’

      ‘You know that I’m always ready to do anything I can. What is it?’

      ‘I’m worried about my parents. Mama is very unwell and the doctor says she needs rest and fresh air. I think Papa is wearing himself out with work as well as worry.’

      ‘Just tell me how I can help. You know I’ll do anything for you and your family.’

      ‘I want you to persuade Papa that you are ready and willing to take over the parish so that he can take Mama somewhere to recuperate.’

      ‘Of course I’ll try to convince him that I’m capable of filling his shoes, but I’m not sure he’ll believe me.’

      ‘If I can find somewhere for them to stay that doesn’t cost too much, and if you can persuade him that the world won’t come to an end because he isn’t here for a while, we might make him see sense.’

      ‘I won’t put it quite like that, but I’ll have a word with him and see what I can do.’

      ‘You are a good friend, Joshua. I have every faith in you,’ Rose said, smiling.

      ‘Will you go with them? Your father might not think it proper for you to remain in the house on your own.’

      ‘Cora and I can look after ourselves, and we’ll still have Mrs Blunt. We’ll stay at home and carry out Mama’s parish duties to the best of our ability, so there’s no need to worry on that score.’

      ‘Leave it to me, Rose. I’ll do my very best.’

      She thanked him again and left him to finish his task, safe in the knowledge that Joshua could be trusted to keep his word, but finding somewhere for her parents to stay might prove an insurmountable problem. She decided not to mention anything to Cora until she had a definite plan in mind.

      Later that morning, Rose left on her own for Old Street and it was Maisie who answered her knock on the door.

      ‘You’re early, miss.’ Maisie eyed her curiously. ‘Is something up?’

      Rose stepped inside. ‘You’re just the person I wanted to see. I need your help.’

      ‘I’ll do anything, miss. You know that.’

      ‘You know the situation,’ Rose said carefully. ‘I don’t have to explain everything, but Cora and I have to work this evening, and it’s our housekeeper’s night off.’

      ‘And you need some help in the kitchen,’ Maisie said, grinning. ‘That’s right up my alley, as you well know. Of course I’ll help out, but I’ll have to ask Miss Polly first.’

      ‘Ask me what?’ Polly emerged from the parlour. ‘Rose, what are you doing here at this time of day?’

      ‘Cora and I have to perform at the saloon tonight and we need some help at home. Maisie has said she’s willing, as long as it’s all right with you.’

      ‘Yes, of course.’ Polly turned to Maisie. ‘Off you go. I’m sure you have chores to attend to.’

      Maisie bobbed a curtsey. ‘Yes’m. It is all right for me to go to the vicarage this evening, isn’t it?’

      ‘Haven’t I just said so?’ Polly waited until Maisie had trotted off towards the back stairs. ‘I need to talk to you, but not out here in this draughty hall. I don’t know why I keep this house on. I’d be better off living alone in a small cottage than trying to keep this place going.’ She ushered Rose into the parlour and threw herself down on the chaise longue, disturbing Spartacus, who opened one yellow eye, stretched and extended his claws, and, having made his feelings clear, went back to sleep.

      Rose took a seat by the fire, holding her hands out to the blaze. Spring might be in the air, but it was cold outside, and a fitful sun had not yet managed to burn off the thick haze of pollution from the gas works, and the pall of smoke from manufactories and coal fires.

      ‘What did you want to say to me, Aunt?’

      ‘That girl cannot remain here much longer. It’s not her fault, but she’s mixing with women twice her age, and the majority have got into trouble by selling their favours on street corners. They’re not bad souls for the most part, but it’s no place for an innocent like Maisie.’

      Rose stared at her aunt, puzzled by her sudden change of heart. ‘Surely she’ll learn something from her experience here? I know that her employer took advantage of her, but she will have to go out into the world and earn her own living at some stage.’

      ‘Maisie trusts everyone – I realised that from the start – and she’s very impressionable. She might have the body of a young woman, but in her head she’s still a little girl. We need to find her somewhere permanent.’

      ‘I’ve asked her to help out at home this evening. Maybe I can persuade Papa to take her on as a scullery maid. Mrs Blunt has more than enough work to keep her occupied.’

      ‘That would be a kindness to the girl, otherwise I can see her ending up in a brothel, or the workhouse. A fate that most of my girls will suffer, alas.’

      ‘I’ve never seen you like this, Aunt Polly. You’re usually so positive and forthright.’

      ‘We lost one of the younger mothers last night, Rose. I took her across the road to the Lying-In Hospital, but they couldn’t save her or the child.’ Polly dashed her hand across her eyes. ‘Don’t take any notice of me, my dear. I expect I’m just tired. I’m getting too old to be up all night. When I was the toast of the East End I could give my best on stage and go on to dine and dance, staying out until the small hours without any adverse effects.’ She forced her lips into a smile but her eyes were lacklustre and red-rimmed. ‘Now tell me what is bothering you.’

      ‘It’s Mama. She was taken ill again yesterday, and the doctor says she needs to get away from the city. I’m hoping I can persuade Papa to take her to the country, or the seaside, although I’m certain he will say that it would cost too much.’

      ‘I suppose you could use some of the money you’ve saved. It’s all there in my strong box.’

      Rose shook her head. ‘No. I can’t do that. Billy’s life depends on having the best barrister I can afford. Billy has chosen Sharpe and I have to trust his judgement. By the way, Mr Sharpe won’t be calling this morning as he’s had to return to Cornwall.’

      ‘Then I am at a loss, for the moment at least.’ A glimmer of humour lit Polly’s blue eyes. ‘Which is unusual for me, you must admit.’

      ‘I do freely, Aunt,’ Rose said, chuckling. ‘I’ve never known you to be lost for words before.’

      ‘I will think about it very carefully.’ Polly sat up straight, as if struck by a sudden thought. ‘There is one possibility.’

      Rose sat on the edge of her seat. ‘Really? What is it?’

      ‘Eleanor had a friend who lived near us in Islington until she married, and then she moved to the south coast. She is your godmother and I believe my sister corresponded with her for many years. You could ask your mother if she remembers Isabel Harman. If they are still in touch perhaps she could stay with Isabel, and then your father wouldn’t need to leave his flock. Although I know he thinks he’s irreplaceable.’

      ‘Papa needs a rest too. I’ve asked Joshua if he would be prepared to take over, providing Papa agreed, and there was no objection from the diocese.’

      ‘Then I suggest you go home and speak to your mother, or even Mrs Blunt. I don’t think there’s anything that woman misses. I suspect that she listens at keyholes, and I wouldn’t put