The Winter Child, page 31
‘There’s no need for that.’ Rose gave Bill a nudge. ‘Go on, tell them.’
He slipped an arm around her and smiled. ‘I’ve asked Rose to marry me, and she’s accepted.’
He didn’t get any further because Annie hurled herself at him, nearly knocking him off-balance, then threw her arms around her sister.
‘I knew you liked him,’ she declared. ‘Now Uncle Bill will be able to take care of you.’
He cleared his throat. ‘I’d like to take care of you all, if you’d let me. I’ve got two houses in Roehampton, next to each other.’ He smiled at Marj and Wally. ‘One is for you and the children, the other for me and Rose.’
Wally looked concerned. ‘What about the rent?’
They spent the next hour talking about it, drinking tea, and by the time everything was explained, Marj and Annie were crying with joy. Charlie and Will were enthusiastic about working in Richmond Park, and Rose couldn’t believe all this was happening.
Had some of the closed doors started to spring open at last?
35
Christmas Day 1923. Her wedding day!
Rose sighed and laid back her head, luxuriating in the scented water. It felt as if a dozen elephants were stomping about inside her. With Bill’s insistence that they marry at Christmas, it had been a terrible rush. He certainly hadn’t given her time to change her mind – and anyway, how could she? Her family thought he was nothing short of an angel in disguise, and over the last few weeks she’d had to admit that she had never met anyone so completely unselfish. Everyone thought she was a very lucky girl – and she was, she kept telling herself. But one fact was inescapable: she was frightened of the step she was taking.
‘Rose!’ Grace called. ‘It’s time you were getting dressed.’
‘All right. Just five more minutes.’
Rose closed her eyes, reluctant to move, and turned her mind back to the day they had all moved to Roehampton. What excitement there had been! When Annie had seen her room, she had thrown her arms around Bill and refused to let him go. Her mother and Wally had been speechless. The transformation in Rose’s family had been remarkable. Her mother had never looked so happy and contented, Wally had managed to find a job in an office locally, and Charlie and Will were working at Richmond Park. They looked like different boys: their faces had filled out and they were always smiling and joking, loving every minute of their outdoor life, even in the freezing weather. Annie was going to a school where art was encouraged, and her talent was blossoming.
‘Rose! If you don’t come out soon I’m going to get John to break down the door,’ Grace threatened.
‘I’m coming.’ Rose stepped out of the bath, dried herself quickly then put on her underclothes and a dressing-gown Grace had given her. They were getting married in London because all their friends were there, and Grace and John had put her up for the night, so she would be near the church.
‘Thank goodness!’ Grace exclaimed, when she opened the bathroom door. ‘I thought we were going to have to drag you out. You’re not having second thoughts, are you?’
‘Of course I am,’ Rose admitted. ‘Didn’t you?’
‘No, but if you’re going to back out, then for goodness’ sake do it now. Don’t let Bill get to the church before you tell him.’
‘I wouldn’t let him down,’ Rose said, horrified at the idea that she might.
‘I’m glad to hear it, because I’ve had doubts that you would go through with this. I know you’ve always been against marriage, but you don’t have to be.’ Grace smiled understandingly. ‘The love between a man and a woman is wonderful if you’ve got the right man, and I’m certain you have.’
Rose nodded. ‘I’m sure you’re right, but I’m still a churning sea of worry and doubt.’
‘You’ll feel better when you get into your dress. Come on, you mustn’t be late for the church.’
At the mention of the ceremony, her insides started to leap about again. ‘I never wanted all this fuss,’ she grumbled, allowing Grace to slip the frock over her head. Then her testiness faded as she gazed into the long mirror. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever had. The dropped waist was the latest fashion, and the hem came to just above her ankles. The lace veil was fastened, cap-like, to her head with a band of white flowers, and her shoes were delicate white satin. She couldn’t stop smiling. How things had changed!
The door opened a crack and Annie peered in. ‘Can I come in?’ She opened the door just wide enough to slip through. She was in her lovely pink frock with flowers in her hair. Bill had insisted on paying for all this finery, and Rose had protested at first, happy to have a quiet wedding, but he wouldn’t hear of it.
She took a deep breath. She was marrying a good man, for whom she had the highest respect. That was better than all this soppy love business.
‘What a lovely frock.’ Annie reached out to touch the lace. ‘Uncle Bill’s going to be so proud of you.’
Her insides gave another lurch at the thought of him waiting for her at the altar. Once she walked down the aisle her life would have changed for ever. She fought valiantly to push aside the anxiety. He was a passionate man, as the last few weeks had shown her, but he had held himself in check, respecting her wish to wait until the wedding night. Now it was nearly here and she was going to have to face her fears.
‘There, you’re ready now.’ Grace stood back to get a full view of her. ‘You look beautiful. Come downstairs and show John before he leaves to meet Bill at the church.’
John held her hands and grinned. ‘What a vision.’ He was about to say something else when there was a knock at the door.
‘That will be Wally.’ Grace hurried out of the room.
Rose couldn’t believe her eyes when Sir George swept in, and she heard her mother draw breath sharply. ‘I didn’t invite him to the house, Mum,’ she told her quietly.
‘I knew he was going to be at the wedding,’ Marj murmured, ‘but I didn’t realize what a shock it would be to see him.’
As her mother turned away, Rose faced her father, angry that he should barge in like this and upset her mother. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I wanted to see you before you left for the church.’ His gaze followed Marj as she walked over to Grace, then returned to Rose.
‘Why?’ she demanded. If he caused trouble today she’d kill him.
He didn’t answer the question, but just stood gazing at her. ‘I should be leading you down the aisle, not your stepfather.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous!’ Rose gave an exasperated sigh.
‘What’s ridiculous about it?’ He raised his voice. ‘You’re my daughter.’
‘You’ve only been invited to the wedding because of your mother. And don’t shout!’
‘Will you two stop fighting?’ John called them to order.
Sir George seemed to notice the room’s other occupants for the first time. ‘I apologize. It was very rude of me to walk into your house like this.’
‘Why did you really come?’ Rose demanded.
‘My mother wants you to have this. She wore it on her wedding day.’ He handed her a small velvet box.
When Rose saw the simple row of pearls with a diamond clasp, she shook her head. ‘I can’t.’
‘Please accept it. You’ll break her heart if you don’t.’
‘Take it, Rose.’ Her mother had come up behind her. ‘Lady Gresham wants you to have it.’
Rose turned and studied her mother’s face, and was relieved to see that she was now composed and looking Sir George straight in the eyes. There was a card with the pearls. ‘To my beloved granddaughter. Please accept this as a token of my love. I hope you will be as happy in your marriage as I was in mine.’ At that moment Rose saw that she had been too harsh with the Greshams. They had shown her nothing but love and kindness, even Sir George in his strange way. She held out the necklace to him. ‘Will you put it on for me?’
He stepped forward and fastened it around her neck, then stood back admiringly. ‘They look perfect with the dress. Mother will be overjoyed,’ he said. He looked at Marj and asked, ‘May I speak to you privately?’
‘You can say whatever you have to in front of my daughter.’
Rose slipped her hand through her mother’s arm and felt her shaking slightly. She smiled down and squeezed her comfortingly. ‘You don’t have to talk to him if you don’t want to, Mum.’
‘It’s time this was dealt with,’ Marj said firmly. ‘You owe me an apology, Sir George.’
He nodded, a gleam of respect in his eyes. ‘I treated you disgracefully. I’m deeply ashamed and sorry for the suffering I’ve caused you. I know words can’t right a dreadful wrong, but I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I was wild and arrogant in my youth,’ he added, with a grimace.
‘In your youth?’ Rose snorted.
‘Now, don’t fight again, you two,’ Marj reprimanded her sharply, putting a stop to another quarrel erupting. ‘You must give me time, Sir George, but this is a happy day, and you’re welcome at the wedding of Rose and Bill.’
‘That is gracious of you.’
Rose was proud of the way her mother had handled this awkward meeting with the man who had shamed her all those years ago.
‘John!’ Grace cried in alarm. ‘Wally’s here with the car. Bill will think we’re not coming. We must all get to the church at once.’
As Rose walked down the aisle towards Bill, she thought how handsome and relieved he looked. She must have made the right responses, because the next thing she was aware of, they were signing the register. She was now Mrs Freeman.
They made their way outside to have photographs taken, and Rose couldn’t for the life of her think how this had all come about. Had he cast some kind of a spell over her to make her change her long-held decision never to marry?
The reception was held in a local hotel, where they had a room to themselves. The buffet was excellent and the cake a masterpiece. Bill had insisted on paying for it all, knowing that the family couldn’t afford such a spread. Her mother had felt it was her duty, but Bill’s calm assurances had won her over.
Rose watched him as he mingled with the guests, talking and laughing. He was obviously happy, and so he ought to be, she thought. He had got his own way in everything without even raising his voice.
After the cake was cut, Wally got out his accordion and started to play. Bill led her on to the floor to dance and soon all the guests had joined them. Josh had brought Mary with him, and even Harold was beaming at everyone. Annie was dancing with all her favourite men, and Rose couldn’t help comparing the laughing, happy girl with the sickly baby she had been. The change in her was tremendous, as it was with all her family. No one would ever believe they had grown up in Garrett Street.
‘Will you honour me with a dance?’ Sir George was standing in front of her. ‘I promise I won’t shout or argue with you.’
Rose held out her arms. It was time to forget the past.
Later, he took her over to his mother, who was sitting in state, surrounded by women. Rose suppressed a chuckle as she wondered what their guests thought about the Greshams being here. The family connection was obvious, but she didn’t give a damn, and neither did Bill. He had insisted that they be invited and to hell with what anyone else thought.
Rose sat next to her grandmother. She had already thanked her for the pearls, but this was the first chance she’d had to talk to her properly. ‘Are you enjoying yourself?’ she asked.
‘I am indeed, my dear. It’s the best wedding I’ve ever attended.’ Lady Gresham leaned forward to kiss her cheek. ‘I’m proud to see my granddaughter marrying such a fine man, and honoured that you should have invited us.’
‘I wanted you to come and so did Bill.’
Lady Gresham chuckled. ‘That was brave of you. Our presence here is causing much speculation.’
‘We don’t care.’ Rose kissed her grandmother’s cheek.
‘That,’ said Sir George, standing tall and straight, ‘is the greatest compliment you could have paid us.’
‘Can we hope that you have accepted us at last?’ her grandmother asked softly.
‘I have – but that doesn’t mean I’ll let you interfere in my life,’ she added.
‘We wouldn’t dare try!’ Sir George laughed. ‘And, anyway, you have a husband to look after you now.’
Rose felt all the old animosity drain away, and turned to the elderly lady. ‘I will call you Grandmother from now on, but …’ she looked up at Sir George ‘… I’m not sure I’ll be able to think of you as my father. Not yet, anyway.’
‘That’s no more than I deserve.’ He sighed. ‘I caused you and your mother great hardship. I will always regret that.’
Rose smiled at him warmly. ‘It’s all in the past now, and I think we should leave it there.’
‘Thank you.’ He looked quite overcome.
‘Darling,’ Bill was at her side, ‘it’s time we left our guests to party into the night.’
They slipped away without anyone noticing, much to Rose’s relief. She’d had enough fuss for one day.
‘Where are we going?’ she asked, as he drove down the road.
‘I want our first night together to be in our own home. Do you mind?’
‘I would prefer it.’
‘Good.’ He reached across and touched her hands, which were clasped tightly in her lap. ‘Don’t worry, my love, I’m not going to rush you or force myself on you just because you are now my wife.’
She felt a little reassured. She had told Sir George that they should leave the past behind, and that was what she must do with the memory of the attack. It had happened long ago – in another life. Bill knew about it and it didn’t worry him, so why should she let it concern her?
It was starting to snow again and Bill had to concentrate on the driving, so the rest of the journey continued in silence. Glad of a bit of peace, Rose closed her eyes.
When they reached the house it was snowing quite hard. Bill opened the front door quickly, but when she tried to step inside, he stopped her. ‘I’m going to carry you over the threshold.’
‘You can’t!’ she laughed. ‘I’m much too heavy.’
He pretended to be hurt. ‘Are you suggesting I’m a weakling?’
‘No.’ Rose couldn’t contain her amusement.
‘Then stop giggling, woman, and put your arms round my neck.’
He kicked the front door shut and carried her straight up to the bedroom. There was a fire burning in the grate and the whole house was lovely and warm.
He put her gently on her feet and kissed her long and passionately. She thought he had forgotten his promise not to rush her but she was wrong. ‘Do you want to take a bath?’ he asked, as he removed her headdress and veil.
‘What about the hot water?’
‘There’s plenty. I’ve engaged a woman to do the housework, and she came in today to see everything was ready for us.’
‘A servant?’ Rose’s eyes opened wide.
‘She’ll come in twice a week to help, and don’t look so shocked.’ He grinned. ‘We’ll both be working and will have little time for polishing and cleaning.’
‘Fancy having someone to help around the house.’ Rose gave him a self-conscious kiss. ‘You think of everything.’
‘I try.’ He urged her into the bathroom. ‘Have your bath before I forget my promise and drag you off to bed immediately,’ he teased.
Two baths in one day, Rose thought, as she sank into the hot water. How her life had changed, but such luxuries only made her more determined to rid London of places like Garrett Street. When she got back to work in the New Year, she would intensify her efforts to bring that about.
When she went back into the bedroom, there was no sign of Bill but she could hear him moving about downstairs. Glad of the chance to get into bed without him watching, she jumped in, and started. When she looked under the covers, she chuckled – there were four hot-water bottles.
She snuggled down and was soon drifting into sleep. This was unbelievable luxury.
Rose turned over and found herself up against a hard body.
‘You’re awake at last.’ Bill pulled her close and kissed her gently.
‘How long have I been asleep?’
‘About two hours.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry.’
‘You’re getting good at apologizing,’ he told her, ‘but you don’t have to. You were tired.’
‘I expect you are too,’ she said, hopefully.
‘Not a bit.’ He rested on one elbow and gazed down at her. ‘This marriage is going to be consummated tonight, my love. Any delay will only make you more apprehensive. Don’t be afraid.’
She tried, she really did, but when he started running his hands over her body, she froze.
‘It’s all right,’ he murmured gently. ‘I won’t hurt you.’
The trouble was, she didn’t believe him.
‘Let’s have this nightdress off, it’s getting in the way.’ He sat up and eased it over her head. ‘There, that’s much better, isn’t it?’
Was it? As flesh touched flesh, Rose realized that he wasn’t wearing anything either, and there was a funny feeling low in her stomach.
The pain she had been expecting didn’t come, and with a huge sigh of relief, she relaxed.
36
April 1925
Rose breathed in the spring air as she made her way to the station. It was more than a year since her marriage and she wouldn’t have believed it possible that she could feel so content. When she looked back, which she did from time to time just to remind herself of how fortunate she was, it took her breath away to see how much their lives had changed.
Her mother and Wally were still happy together. Charlie and Will were both at the park and had made some friends. Flo had a decent council house, and seemed happy in her marriage; she had recently had a baby girl. Nancy was still at the orphanage and came home occasionally. They heard from Bob about twice a year, and Annie was leaving school at the end of term. Rose had tried to persuade her to go on to university, but Annie wanted time to think about it first.
