The Christmas Card: The perfect heartwarming novel for Christmas from the Sunday Times bestseller. Dilly Court

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СКАЧАТЬ hard being a servant, Mama. I keep forgetting that I’m supposed to be invisible and keep silent, especially when I see things going horribly wrong.’

      ‘I’d like to meet Flora, and I’d like to give Mrs Dearborn a piece of my mind.’

      Alice chuckled at the thought of her meek and mild mother taking on a termagant like Lydia Dearborn. ‘I don’t know about that, Mama, but you’ll see Flora tomorrow. We’ll spend Christmas Day trying to make her happy, but I wish I had a present to give her.’

      Beth frowned thoughtfully. ‘What would she like the most?’

      ‘That’s easy. She’d like to find her real mother.’

      Next morning when Alice went to wake her mother she was alarmed to find her unwell and feverish.

      ‘I must have caught a chill,’ Beth said faintly. ‘It’s so cold in this house, and Jane insisted that I polish the brass door knocker yesterday, even though it was snowing.’

      Alice laid her hand on her mother’s forehead. ‘You are rather hot. You ought to stay in bed, but I don’t want to leave you on your own.’

      ‘I’ll sleep most of the day, my darling. I would have loved to meet young Flora and see inside the Dearborns’ mansion, but I’m better off where I am.’

      ‘But it’s Christmas Day and I have nothing to give you, Mama. I am so sorry it’s come to this.’

      Beth lifted a thin hand to touch her daughter’s cheek. ‘You are the greatest gift of all. What more could a mother want than a daughter who is kind as well as beautiful, and very talented?’

      ‘Mama, you’ll have me blushing if you say things like that.’ Alice leaned over to drop a kiss on her mother’s forehead. ‘I’ll ask Clara to keep an eye on you, and I’ll come home as soon as I’ve finished work.’ She was about to leave the room when her mother called her back.

      ‘I want to give you something.’ Beth’s voice was hoarse and little more than a whisper. ‘Look in my reticule. The only piece of jewellery that I have left is the silver butterfly brooch your father gave me when you were born. I want you to have it, my love.’

      Alice hesitated; she knew how much her mother valued the delicate filigree brooch. ‘Are you sure, Mama? You don’t have to give me anything.’

      ‘I’ll have the pleasure of seeing you wear it, and it’s the only thing of value I managed to save from the bailiffs. Please take it, Alice.’

      Not wanting to distress her mother, she reached for the reticule and took out the brooch, pinning it at the neck of her blouse. ‘Thank you, Mama. I’ll treasure it always.’

      Beth’s eyelids drooped. ‘You mustn’t be late or Mrs Dearborn might dismiss you, and I’m sleepy.’

      Alice tucked her in and left the room quietly, closing the door behind her. Downstairs in the dining room she found a plate of cold porridge waiting for her but there was no sign of her aunt. Clara brought her a pot of tea, and as usual there was neither milk nor sugar to make it more palatable.

      Alice stirred the thick glutinous oatmeal, wrinkling her nose. ‘I can’t eat this. Has my aunt left for church, Clara?’

      ‘Yes, miss. She went out early and won’t be back for hours. I’m sorry about the porridge, but she made me put it out even though you weren’t here. She said something about being punctual for meals.’ She eyed the plate, licking her lips. ‘Mrs Jugg will tell her if you don’t eat it, miss.’

      ‘You can have it, Clara. If you don’t mind eating a cold sticky mess—’ She broke off as Clara seized the plate and proceeded to spoon the unappetising food into her mouth. ‘Are you always this hungry?’

      Clara swallowed a mouthful. ‘I get my porridge watered down, miss. Cook says it goes further that way.’

      ‘I suppose it does.’ Alice finished her tea, ignoring the pangs of hunger that cramped her stomach. ‘Will you look in on my mother later, Clara? She’s unwell and I’d be grateful if you would take care of her for me. I’ll get home as soon as I can.’

      Clara gulped down the last morsel. ‘I dare say there won’t be much merriment below stairs today, miss. I don’t think we’ll be feasting on roast goose and plum pudding, but I’ll keep an eye on the missis. She’s been kind to me.’

      ‘My mother is kind to everyone,’ Alice said, smiling. ‘I know I can rely on you, Clara. Merry Christmas, such as it is in this house.’

      Alice arrived at the house in Russell Square to find the servants bustling about making ready for the guests to arrive. The kitchen was steamy and fragrant with delicious smells that made her mouth water when she collected Alice’s breakfast tray. Nettie had been set to work churning ice cream for the elaborate bombe that Cook was endeavouring to recreate from one of Mrs Beeton’s recipes. Mrs Upton was overseeing arrangements, marching around the kitchen like a sergeant major, and Hoskins had retired to his pantry to put the finishing touches to polishing the silver and the best crystal glasses. The Dearborns’ Christmas feast was obviously going to be a very grand affair. Alice took the back stairs, carrying the heavy tray to the nursery with a growing feeling of admiration for Nettie, who in the normal course of things had to do this several times each day.

      Flora was unexpectedly subdued and quiet. She picked at her breakfast, showing little enthusiasm for the food.

      ‘What’s the matter?’ Alice asked anxiously. ‘Are you unwell, Flora?’

      ‘No. I’m quite well, thank you.’

      ‘You’ve been so excited about Christmas, so what’s wrong?’

      ‘They don’t want me here,’ Flora said, her bottom lip trembling. ‘And I want to be with my real mama.’

      Alice moved swiftly to give her a comforting hug. ‘I understand.’

      ‘No,’ Flora cried, burying her head in her hands. ‘No one understands how I feel.’

      Alice stroked her hair. ‘Your uncle said he would try to help, and I think you should put your trust in him. I’m sure he’ll do the right thing.’ She turned with a start at the sound of someone outside the door, and was about to tell Nettie that Flora had not finished her breakfast when Rory entered the room.

      ‘What’s all this, Flora?’ he said cheerfully. ‘Why the long face? It’s Christmas Day.’

      She jumped to her feet and ran to him. ‘Have you found out where my real mama lives? May we go and see her today?’

      ‘I don’t know about that, Flora. I’m in a difficult position.’

      ‘But you promised, Uncle Rory. Alice told me you’d keep your word.’

      He glanced at Alice, a wry smile curving his lips. ‘Did she now?’

      ‘Yes,’ Alice said sharply. ‘But it seems I was mistaken.’

      ‘As it happens I’ve given it a lot of thought since yesterday, and I think Flora should be allowed to visit her mother. My brother and sister-in-law won’t agree with me, but in this СКАЧАТЬ