The Christmas Rose: The most heart-warming novel of 2018, from the Sunday Times bestseller. Dilly Court

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СКАЧАТЬ But I’m serious. I was spoiled by my parents and shamelessly overindulged. Just look around you.’ Cecilia encompassed the room with a wave of her hands. ‘Of course, Papa doesn’t earn a great deal working for the Foreign Office, but Mama inherited a fortune when my grandfather died a few years ago.’

      ‘You’re very fortunate,’ Rose said smiling. ‘And very kind. I don’t know what I would have done without your brother’s help, and now you’re doing something splendid for someone you’ve only known for an hour or so.’

      ‘Yes, that does make me sound much nicer than I really am.’ Cecilia picked up a silver-backed brush and began to rearrange Rose’s hair. ‘You shouldn’t wear your hair scraped back into a bun, my dear. That style went out years ago. You’re lucky to have natural curls. I have to sleep with rags in my hair every night because my hair is as straight as rainwater.’

      ‘You’re very elegant, Cissie. I don’t think you need to worry about your looks.’

      ‘I don’t really. I know I’m beautiful, everyone says so, but sometimes I feel quite plain and dull. Maybe I should think of going out in the world and earning my own living.’ Cecilia pressed Rose down on a stool in front of a burr-walnut dressing table. ‘I’m going to try a much more flattering style, and you can tell me more about yourself.’

      ‘I thought I’d told you everything.’

      ‘You told me about your life in that far-off place, but you must know some people in London, apart from the ones you’ve met recently. I don’t think missionaries or prostitutes are going to help you establish yourself in society.’

      ‘I was hoping that Max’s sister would help me, but she and her husband are away on a business trip to Australia.’

      ‘They’re in trade?’ Cecilia’s tone was anything but enthusiastic.

      ‘The Colville Shipping Company is one of the largest in Britain,’ Rose said stoutly. ‘At least that’s what I was led to believe.’ She could see Cecilia’s reaction in the mirror, and it was obvious that there were degrees of what branch of trade might be considered acceptable.

      ‘That does make a difference,’ Cecilia said grudgingly. ‘The Colville family are well known for their philanthropic work. In fact I met Caroline Colville and her half-sister, Maria, at a charity function about a year ago. Maria is a few years my senior, but she and I got along so well that we’ve become friends.’

      ‘Maria Colville?’

      ‘That’s her maiden name, she married a seafarer and she’s Mrs Barnaby now.’

      ‘She’s Max’s half-sister.’ Rose twisted round on the stool, facing Cecilia with a tremulous smile. ‘I was only nine years old when I attended her wedding, but I remember it well. Do you know where she lives?’

      ‘Yes, I do. I visit her quite often and we help to raise money for seamen’s charities. Maria’s husband is away at sea for months on end, sometimes a year or more, and I think she gets lonely with just a housekeeper and her children’s nanny for company.’

      ‘She might be able to help me,’ Rose said excitedly. ‘Max was going to arrange everything, so he must have told Caroline about us. Maybe she left a message for me with her sister.’

      ‘There’s only one way to find out. As it happens I’d arranged to have luncheon with Maria next Tuesday. I’ll make Eugene give you time off so that you can join us.’

      ‘Maybe it would be better if I asked him nicely.’

      ‘You’ll have to learn how to handle the male of the species, Rose. Especially those akin to my brother, who is as stubborn as the proverbial mule and can be very contrary. I’ll tell him of our arrangement and heaven help him if he refuses to allow you to accompany me.’

      Rose turned to the mirror and her reflection gazed back at her with doubtful eyes. She did not share Cecilia’s confidence in her ability to manipulate Eugene. ‘I don’t want to cause trouble between you and your brother,’ she said.

      ‘Believe me, I’m used to dealing with Gene, and I’m not stupid, Rose. I’ll wait until this evening when he is in a sunny mood and then I’ll ask him.’ Cecilia smiled and nodded. ‘You have to have a strategy when dealing with men like Gene, as you will discover if you’re going to work together with any degree of success.’

      Eugene was seated by the fire, reading a copy of The Times when they finally joined him. He folded the newspaper and rose to his feet. ‘At last. I was beginning to think I’d have to send a search party for you two.’

      ‘Very funny,’ Cecilia said, smiling sweetly. ‘We were just sorting out some of my things for Rose and we lost track of time.’

      ‘Did you find her a gown for this evening? We need to cut a dash. I don’t want to be outdone by the chaps from the other dailies.’

      ‘So we’re there for decorative purposes, are we, Gene?’ Cecilia was smiling, but there was an edge to her voice.

      ‘I’m there to work,’ Rose said quickly. ‘Aren’t I, Guvnor?’

      ‘Of course you are. Don’t take any notice of my sister. She can be a virago when she wants to be. You are going to write the article, Munday, and we’d best be getting back to the office, or poor Arthur will be having forty fits.’

      ‘What about tonight, Gene?’ Cecilia demanded. ‘Will you bring Rose here to change?’

      He frowned. ‘I hadn’t thought that far ahead.’

      ‘I can’t very well get ready in the office,’ Rose said thoughtfully.

      ‘I’ll bring her home with me.’ Eugene made for the door. ‘Come on, Munday. We’ll grab a bite to eat on the way to the office.’

      ‘Why not stay a while and have luncheon with me?’ Cecilia followed them onto the landing. ‘Another hour or so won’t make any difference.’

      ‘Sorry, Cissie. We have a deadline to meet,’ Eugene called over his shoulder. ‘Hurry up, Munday. There’s work to be done.’

      Cecilia was dressed in her finery, waiting for them in a considerable state of agitation when they returned to Tavistock Square that evening. Eugene had been working on a last-minute addition for the morning paper, and there had been several hold-ups during the cab journey when a sudden downpour had caused chaos. An argument between a carter and a hackney cab driver had held up traffic for what seemed like forever, until a police constable strolled up and threatened to arrest both of them. Then a barrel had fallen off a brewer’s dray and had hit the cobblestones with such force that it split, spewing out a fountain of ale. People appeared from nowhere, attempting to catch as much of the amber liquid as they could in mugs, jugs and even bowler hats, while others simply opened their mouths to gulp down the free beer.

      It had not been a dull cab ride, but now they were late and Cecilia was fuming. She rushed Rose upstairs and with the help of her maid managed to get her into the tightly fitting gown, coiffed and ready in less than an hour.

      ‘Wait a moment,’ Cecilia cried as Rose was about to escape. ‘You look splendid but you need some jewellery.’

      ‘I’m a very junior reporter,’ Rose protested. СКАЧАТЬ