Harry closed the heavily bound ledger and sighed with relief. Thank goodness that was done for the month. It seemed that lately all of his spare time was taken up with bookwork, a task that had always irked him. Going over to the walnut cabinet he took a bottle of brandy from the silver tray and poured himself a large drink. When the glass was empty, he refilled it and carried it back to his desk. Slumping down into the comfortable high-backed chair he stared into the crystal glass, his eyes thoughtful. With a bit of luck and hard work, his new buildings should be completed on time, and after that he had promised himself a few months’ holiday; if his luck held he wouldn’t be spending it alone. A slow smile spread across his face. Reaching into his inside pocket he drew out a small, black box and opened it. There nestling on a bed of blue silk lay a diamond ring, a ring he hoped that very soon he would be able to slip onto Maggie’s finger; that was if she would have him.
Snapping the box shut he returned it to the safety of his pocket while at the same time throwing off the remainder of his brandy. Setting the glass down he drummed his fingers on the desk top, debating whether to have another drink before retiring. No, he’d better not, there was yet another long day ahead of him tomorrow and he needed a clear head to get him through the last few months of work. But when August came and the buildings were finally ready for the waiting tenants, the first thing he planned to do was take Maggie out somewhere nice for the evening, maybe to Maxine’s, and afterwards he would ask her to marry him. It had taken him a long time to win back her trust after his blundering attempt to make her his mistress, but now he was sure she had forgiven him and wanted him as much as he wanted her.
Lord, it had been hard though. Being so close to her at times and not being able to tell her his true feelings for fear of frightening her off again. He had been sorely tempted to propose months ago, but had deemed it too soon after her illness to place such an important decision upon her. Then there was the pressure of work to contend with; it would all have been too much too soon. No, it was better this way. Better to wait until he could spend more time with her, to be able to bestow all his attention upon her instead of having to split himself in two. He didn’t plan on a long engagement; what was the point? They had known each other long enough to be sure. No, a month’s engagement, then the wedding, maybe in September. His mother could make all the arrangements. A sudden frown crossed his face. What would his parents’ reactions be to the idea of him marrying someone like Maggie? Oh, they weren’t snobs, neither of them, but still; people could be very strange where their own family were concerned.
Oh, what did it matter? They wouldn’t be living here anyway. As soon as Maggie said yes, he would start looking for a suitable house for them; that was if she said yes. What if she refused him, what then? Giving a shaky laugh he turned the gas lamp down and walked to the door, then paused. What would he do? He didn’t honestly know, he’d never been in this situation before. One thing he was sure of was that he wouldn’t be able to shrug off Maggie as easily as he had done with the numerous women who had preceded her. Giving himself a mental shake he turned his head to make sure the lamp was safely extinguished, then turned the door handle. He was just about to leave the room when he heard the front door burst open, then Hugh’s voice, shrill with anger, filled the house.
‘Harry, Harry, where are you, you dirty swine. I know you’re here, it’s no good hiding.’ Then he was bounding up the stairs towards Harry’s room. Kicking open the door he looked wildly round the room, then like a man possessed he began pulling out drawers, tossing Harry’s clothing onto the floor in a desperate attempt to find the evidence that would prove his brother had made a fool of him. Downstairs, Harry stood rooted to the spot, his face stunned with disbelief at the hatred he’d heard in Hugh’s voice. What in God’s name had happened to make him behave so?
‘Is anything amiss, sir, I thought I heard shouting?’ Benson had appeared by his side, his lined face worried.
‘No, it’s all right, Benson, I’ll handle this, you get off to bed.’
‘Thank you, sir, but the Master and Mistress aren’t home yet from the Thompsons and I never go to bed until I see the Master settled for the night,’ Benson answered, his eyes staring up at the ceiling. Harry didn’t answer, for he too had his eyes riveted upwards. Without a word he began to climb the stairway, slowly at first, then quickening his steps as the noise from his room became louder.
‘Hugh, what the devil’s going on?’ he cried in bewilderment at the sight of his brother kneeling on the floor surrounded by piles of his clothing. Walking into the room he looked down on the wild-eyed figure and felt a shiver of fear run up his spine.
‘Have you taken leave of your senses, man? What the hell are you playing at? Are you ill? Hugh, answer me for God’s sake, you look like…’
Hugh rose slowly to his feet, one arm hidden behind his back. Stepping over the debris he advanced towards Harry. Then, without warning he thrust the brown leather wallet in Harry’s face. Harry’s eyes widened, his mouth dropping with shock at the sight of the wallet held in Hugh’s trembling hand.
‘Do you recognise this, Harry? You should do, you bought it for my birthday, remember. Only I lost it a couple of years ago, I told you about it at the time. So what’s it doing hidden at the back of your drawer, Harry? Well, I’m waiting. It’s not like you to be at a loss for words. No? Still no answer, no ready quip or plausible reason to explain why the wallet I lost should be hidden in your room. Well, let me make it easier for you, shall I? I didn’t come straight here after seeing Lotte home; I went visiting. Do you know who I went to see? Why, it was Maggie, and we had a long talk, did Maggie and me. It was a very enlightening conversation. We discovered we had more in common than either of us had ever realised.’
‘Hugh, please, listen to me, I…’ Harry’s voice was barely a whisper.
‘No, Harry, you listen to me for a change. I went to see Maggie in an attempt to get her away from you. Oh, yes, I know it was a pathetic attempt, because let’s face it, what woman would have me if she could have you instead. You’ve always got whatever you wanted, haven’t you, Harry? But it wasn’t enough for you, was it. There’s no excitement when everything falls into one’s lap without any effort. So you went down to the East End looking for some excitement, just like I did. It was only the one time for me, but then you know all about my night out, don’t you, Harry? You’ve known from the start but you said nothing. Even though you must have realised I was going through hell at the knowledge of what I had done, you did nothing to alleviate my suffering. I could have forgiven you for that, but not for what you did later. When did you first get the idea of introducing me to my “victim”? Was life getting a little dull for you, Harry? Is that why you took me along to meet Maggie, in order to get a cheap thrill out of our misery. I… I…’ He broke off, his voice choked with tears.
‘Hugh, oh God, Hugh. It wasn’t like that, please, please listen to me, I can explain. If you’ll only…’
‘Get away from me, you bastard,’ Hugh snatched Harry’s hand from his arm. With tears coursing down his cheeks he screamed at the stricken figure. ‘I loved you, Harry. I loved you more than anyone in the world. I would have done anything for you. And all the time you were laughing at me, holding me up to ridicule. How could you, Harry, how could you be so— so cruel. I never did anything to— to deserve the way you’ve tre— treated me.’ Flinging himself round he buried his face against the wall, his body shaking with sobs.
Harry stood helplessly watching his brother’s anguish, knowing there was nothing he could do or say that would ever make things right between them again. Still, he had to try, he had to make Hugh understand. God damn it. Why had he kept that blasted wallet? He’d meant to throw it away countless times, but had never got round to it. Now it was too late.
Tentatively placing his hand upon the shuddering arm he said softly, ‘Hugh, Hugh, I…’
‘Get away from me, you stinking bastard!’ Hugh’s shrill cry split the air, his arm coming up and round to catch Harry a violent blow around the side of his face. Unprepared for the attack Harry staggered backwards, his foot catching in one of his shirts, sending him crashing back against the corner of his dressing table. He lay stunned for a few moments, then Hugh was standing over him, his mouth working furiously as he spat at him.
‘I’m leaving now and I never want to see you again for as long as I live. From this moment on, I have no brother. As far as I’m concerned you’re dead; as dead to me as you are to Maggie. You’ve lost her, Harry, lost her forever. You betrayed and abused her trust, just as you did mine. May you rot in hell for what you’ve done to us.’
‘Hugh wait, please wait,’ Harry struggled to his feet, his hand holding his forehead. ‘I had to make sure you didn’t recognise each other. Hugh, you know how I feel about Maggie, I had to make sure. That was the only reason I brought you face to face. As God is my witness, I would never deliberately hurt you. I love you, you’re my brother. Hugh… Hugh.’ Staggering out onto the landing he rested his hands on the balustrade and watched helplessly as Hugh ran down the stairway, his long legs taking the steps two at a time.
It was at that moment that the front door opened to admit Edward and Beatrice, the laughter they were sharing abruptly stopping at the sight of their son, his distress painfully evident.
‘Why, Hugh, whatever’s happened, dear? Is something wr—’
‘Not now, mother, please, I have to get out of this house, or I won’t be responsible for my actions.’ Exerting his last piece of self-control, he gently moved his mother to one side before bounding down the stone steps and out into the dark night.
Edward and Beatrice looked at each other in bewilderment, but before either of them could speak Benson came rushing from the kitchen. ‘Oh sir, sir, I’m that glad you’re home. There’s been ructions upstairs, sir. Mr Hugh was shouting at Mr Harry, well… screaming would be a better word, then they started fighting. Lord sir, I never thought I’d see the day when the two masters fell out. It was terrible to hear, sir. I tried to…’
‘Yes yes, that will be all, Benson,’ Edward snapped impatiently. Quickly handing over his top hat, coat, and cane he mounted the stairs, his face worried. Beatrice didn’t bother to divest herself of her outdoor wear, she was too busy following her husband, as anxious as he to find out what had been happening in their absence.
When they reached Harry’s room, they both stopped in surprise, their eyes taking in the shambles that littered the floor and bed. And Harry, oh, Lord, Harry who sat among the debris, his face a mask of pain and misery. So shocked were they by the sight of their strong son reduced to such a state they remained silent, each of them too stunned to speak. Edward recovered first.
Clearing his throat he said in bewilderment, ‘What the bloody hell has been going on, Harry?’
And Harry raised his head wearily and answered, ‘We had better go downstairs. There is a lot I have to tell you. After you hear what I have to say, you may well ask me to follow Hugh from the house and never return.’
Like a man who had lost everything he valued in the world, he rose to his feet. Brushing past his parents he walked down the stairs and into the dining room. After a few moments Edward and Beatrice joined him, their faces drawn with anxiety.
When the door closed behind them, Bella stepped out of the library into the hall. She had arrived home soon after Hugh and had heard the altercation that had followed from the bottom of the stairway. When she had heard Hugh coming down the stairs, and the sound of a carriage drawing up outside the house, she had quickly hidden in the library. Stepping nearer to the dining room she leaned forward trying to hear what was being said, but heard only muffled voices. Her face thoughtful, she moved away from the door. Walking quietly she made her way up the stairs. Pausing briefly to stare at the wreckage of Harry’s room, she passed by to her own.
Once there she made straight for her jewellery box, panic mounting in her breast at the sight of the contents. What was she going to do? There wasn’t enough here to satisfy Jimmy. She’d led him to believe she had plenty of jewels to bring to him tomorrow. She couldn’t go to him with this paltry handful. Biting down on her bottom lip she continued staring into the box as if willing it to bring back all the precious pieces that had once adorned the red-lined interior. Slumping down onto her bed she listened out for any sound from below, but could hear nothing. Dimly she wondered what had happened between Harry and Hugh. She’d heard Maggie’s name mentioned during the quarrel, but hadn’t been able to hear everything that had been said. Not that she gave a damn about anything that happened in this house. Her only concern now was to get away, but she needed money, money and jewels.
A crafty look came over her face. Of course, her parents’ room. Her father always kept some money in his wall safe, along with her mother’s jewellery. Creeping along the landing she carefully pushed open the door leading into the master bedroom. Once inside she made straight for the wall safe hidden behind a landscape painting. Within minutes she had the safe open, and five minutes later she was back in her room, her heart beating wildly as she stared down at the wad of notes and the pearl-encrusted box she held in her shaking hands. To her great surprise, a feeling of guilt swept over her. She couldn’t do this, not steal from her own parents. But how else could she be with Jimmy? Stifling her conscience, she put the money and the box into her bag, then quickly undressed for bed.
It was nearly two hours later when she heard the footsteps on the stairs and the muffled voices on the landing. Her door was pushed open slowly and she quickly closed her eyes as the light from a lamp was shone on her face. Then the door closed again and she heard her mother crying. Turning her face into the pillow she stared into the darkness. It wasn’t too late to change her mind. She could easily put back the money and jewellery tomorrow before their absence was discovered. Her father only kept the money for emergencies, and her mother rarely used the jewellery in the safe, preferring to wear her pearls and garnets which she kept in a trinket box on her dressing table. No, the theft wouldn’t be discovered immediately; in fact it could be weeks before either of them opened the safe. Flopping over onto her back she tried to get some sleep; she had a great deal to do tomorrow. A picture of her parents floated in front of her eyes, then the guilt assailed her once more.
Blast it! They had plenty, it wasn’t as if she were leaving them penniless. Giving up all notion of sleep, she padded across the thick carpet to her window. This time tomorrow she would be in another country. In all probability she would never see her parents or brothers again. Once she left this house, she could never come back, not after what she had done.
Lifting her head, she stared up into the cloudy sky. She didn’t care; she didn’t. So why did she feel so bad? This was the first time she had experienced guilt, and she didn’t like it; she didn’t like it one little bit. Damn that little slut. It was all her fault she was in this position.
Not content with trying to tear her and Jimmy apart, the little trollop had also wreaked havoc between Harry and Hugh, the result of which would surely reflect on her parents. How the hell could one chit of a girl cause so much destruction?
An image of a smiling Maggie appeared in the window. Bella felt her hands curving towards the long neck, then quickly dropped her hands to her side. For a brief moment she had imagined the young girl was in the room, laughing at her, taunting her. God! She must get some sleep, she must. Tearing her eyes away from the window she walked back to her bed.
When the frantic hammering started on the door, Lotte rose slowly from the armchair, her footsteps steady as she walked to the front door. Pausing for a brief moment, she took a long, deep breath then opened the door.
‘Oh Lotte, Lotte, it was terrible, terrible. I’ve left home, Lotte. And Maggie hates me now… It was Harry’s fault, Lotte. I hate him, I do, I do. Let me stay, Lotte, please let me stay with you.’ Hugh fell against her, his arms clutching at her desperately while he sobbed on her shoulder. Pulling him gently into the hall, Lotte closed the door and led him into the living room.
Pushing him down into the chair before the blazing fire she said softly, ‘Hugh dear, it’s all right now. Everything will be all right now.’ Kneeling down by his side she laid her head in his lap and closed her eyes.
She had known when she sent him to Maggie that she was taking a risk. Nevertheless, she had taken the gamble. It had been the biggest gamble of her life, but it had paid off. He was back, and this time he would stay; she would make sure of that. Tears of relief slid silently down her face; then she closed her eyes and slept.