Cinderella Sister (48 page)

As they passed her and went into the house, he turned his head and Lily could have sworn that he winked at her. So Nell was going to marry Eugene. She had no doubt that her sister would accept the schoolmaster, who was proving to be everything that Nell wanted in a man, and it seemed that he had a sense of humour too. Both her sisters were happy in love, and in less than a week Molly would be walking
up the aisle with Armand. Lily stared at the note clutched in her hand and raised it to her lips. Tomorrow she would see Gabriel and be introduced into his world. If only Matt would relent, she thought sadly. She was determined to marry the man she loved, but the thought of causing another rift in the family made the decision to flout her brothers agonising.

‘Of course I’m coming with you,’ Charlotte said, tying the ribbons of her bonnet at a fetching angle beneath her left ear. ‘Do you really think I’d miss an opportunity to meet my old friends? Besides which, my presence will lend respectability to your clandestine meeting with Gabriel. I am, after all, his stepmother.’

‘No you’re not, Ma,’ Lily said patiently. ‘But I’d be glad of your company all the same.’

‘Is Christian coming to call for you?’ Charlotte asked casually, primping in front of the mirror above the mantelshelf.

‘Yes, Ma. You know he is.’

‘I know no such thing, but it’s important to be escorted to these functions by a gentleman, and a gentleman of the press ensures that we get privileges other people cannot aspire to.’

‘Yes, Ma.’ Lily peered out of the window. ‘He’s here. Let’s go before Aggie and Grandpa get wind of what we’re doing.’

‘I’d like to see them try to stop us.’ Charlotte slipped a shawl around her shoulders with a flourish. ‘I’m ready.’

The journey took much longer than Lily had anticipated and she sat in her corner of the hackney carriage
staring out of the window while Ma and Christian chatted as if they had known each other for years. Lily was too nervous and excited to listen to them, but she was vaguely aware that Ma was in fine form, and Christian was hanging on her every word. The city streets flashed past the windows and heat rose from the cobblestones together with the stench of horse dung and blocked drains. Lily clutched her reticule containing the invitation to the viewing and she was thankful that Christian was paying the cab fare. Her hands were damp with perspiration and her heart beating erratically as the cab drew to a halt in Trafalgar Square.

Christian leapt out first, handing her down before helping Charlotte to alight. He led the way into the gallery with Charlotte on his arm and Lily following close behind. Her hand flew to her mouth to stifle a gasp of pleasure as she saw her portrait hanging in pride of place, lit by the sun beaming through a skylight. She could almost smell the smoke and burning timbers and hear the crackle of the flames as they devoured the warehouse. The girl standing in the well of the cart stared heroically ahead, her flaming hair seeming to be part of the conflagration itself.

‘Lily, my darling.’

She turned at the sound of Gabriel’s voice, and the look in his eyes made her tremble with delight. It was all she could do not to throw herself into his arms. She hesitated, taking in his smart black suit and immaculate white shirt. He looked distinguished
and so handsome that it took her breath away. ‘You aren’t wearing a sling,’ she murmured, suddenly shy in the midst of the exalted company.

‘No,’ he agreed, taking her hand and raising it to his lips. ‘My wound is healing nicely.’ His eyes shone as they met hers. ‘I’ve missed you every moment of every day, my love.’

‘Me too,’ Lily murmured, casting an anxious glance to see if anyone was watching them, but Ma and Christian were chatting to some important-looking men with goatee beards and shiny shoes. ‘Can we go somewhere more private, Gabriel?’

He squeezed her fingers, holding on to her hand as if he would never let her go. ‘Not yet, sweetheart, but we’ll slip away as soon as I’ve done my duty here.’ He slid his arm around her waist. ‘There is someone I want you to meet first.’ He led her through the crowd of well-dressed art lovers to the end of the gallery where a tall, thin man was standing in front of a set of watercolours. Gabriel tapped him on the shoulder. ‘Harry, old boy, I want you to meet the artist.’

As the man moved aside Lily was amazed to see that the paintings which had been the object of his intense scrutiny were her own work. ‘I don’t understand.’

Gabriel smiled. ‘May I introduce Harry Lockwood, darling? He’s the most influential art critic in London. Harry, this is Miss Lily Larkin, the artist.’

Harry Lockwood eyed Lily as critically as if she had been one of the exhibits and then a slow smile spread across his gaunt features. ‘Miss Larkin, I must congratulate you on your efforts. Your work shows freshness
and a naivety that are quite charming. I hope to see more of your paintings.’

At a loss for words, Lily bobbed a curtsey.

‘Charming,’ Harry repeated, patting Gabriel on the shoulder. ‘Quite charming. Miss Larkin will go far, given the right mentor and the opportunity to exhibit her paintings.’

‘I knew you’d say that,’ Gabriel said, beaming. ‘Not only is she an inspiration as a model but she is talented as well, and I adore her. We’re to be married very soon.’

‘Congratulations, old man.’ Harry took Lily’s hand and kissed it. ‘I wish you all the happiness in the world, and every success in your career, Miss Larkin.’ He strolled off to study another work on the far side of the gallery.

‘Me, a real artist,’ Lily breathed. ‘Why didn’t you tell me you’d put my paintings into the exhibition?’

‘I wanted to surprise you,’ Gabriel said, brushing her cheek with his lips. ‘And I must confess I didn’t know they had been accepted until last night. Anyway, that will all change soon. In no time at all we’ll be man and wife, and I’ll never leave you again, Lily.’

‘You know that I want that more than anything in the world,’ she said in a low voice, ‘but where will we live? How will we manage for money? And what will Matt say? I can’t go against him and cause the family more pain.’

‘But you want to be with me, don’t you?’ Gabriel’s eyes darkened as they held hers in a gaze that pierced her soul.

‘You know I do.’

‘I have several commissions which will bring in a steady income. We’ll manage somehow, darling. My rooms in Cock and Hoop Yard aren’t palatial but they’ll do for the time being, and as soon as I receive the money for my paintings we’ll move to somewhere more suitable. Do you think you could stand living in two attic rooms with a struggling artist?’

Lily clasped his hands in hers. ‘I’d live in a garret and eat nothing but bread and water as long as we were together.’

‘It won’t be quite that bad,’ he said, chuckling. ‘But tomorrow, first thing, I’m going to Cock Hill to have it out with your brothers. I’m not going to make the same mistakes as my father, God rest his soul. We’re going to be married with the blessing of your family; I promise you that, Lily.’ He glanced over her shoulder, frowning. ‘I’m going to have to leave you for a few moments, darling. Lockwood is beckoning to me and he’s too important to ignore at this stage in my career.’

Lily made her way through the crowd to rejoin her mother and Christian. She felt happier than she had for a very long time. Gabriel had promised that he would sort things out tomorrow. She could barely wait.

Next morning, as she stood outside the house on Pelican Wharf, Lily was joined by Prissy who had just come back from market with a basket overflowing with her purchases. ‘What are you doing standing out here without your bonnet?’ Prissy demanded. ‘You’ll get freckles all over your nose and that ain’t pretty.’

Anxious as she was, Lily could not help smiling at
Prissy’s motherly concern. ‘I’m waiting for Gabriel. He said he was going to sort things out with Matt and the boys.’

‘It’s about time someone did,’ Prissy said, nodding sagely. ‘Your brother needs a firm hand.’

Lily was quick to notice the faint flush that coloured Prissy’s cheeks and the sparkle in her eyes whenever Matt’s name was mentioned. ‘You’re fond of Matt, aren’t you?’ she said softly.

‘He’s all right.’ Prissy shrugged her shoulders.

‘Come on, Prissy, you can’t fool me,’ Lily said gently. ‘I’ve seen the way you look at him, and what’s more I’ve seen the way he looks at you when he thinks no one else is watching.’

‘I dunno what you mean.’ Prissy made for the side door, but Lily caught her by the arm.

‘Admit it; you’ve got a soft spot for my eldest brother and he for you.’

‘I like him a lot, but a man like him ain’t going to pay no heed to an ignorant country girl like me.’

Lily wrapped her arm around Prissy’s thin form. ‘You’re not ignorant. In fact you’ve got a wiser head on your young shoulders than all the rest of us put together.’

Prissy sniffed and wiped her nose on her sleeve. ‘That’s not true. I’m just good at keeping house and looking after people. I’ve had enough practice, heaven knows.’

‘And that’s a talent that Nell, Molly and me have got to learn,’ Lily said softly. ‘You do it naturally, Prissy. You’ve turned that old barn of a place into a real home,
and you’ve got the boys eating out of your hand, including Matt. He took it worst of all when Ma left and he didn’t seem to be interested in girls, at least not in the way that Mark and Luke were. But he’s different with you. He listens to you, Prissy, and I think he loves you.’

Prissy looked up, her blue eyes swimming with tears. ‘Do you really?’

‘I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t think so.’

‘No, you must be wrong.’ Prissy shook her head vehemently. ‘He wouldn’t want someone like me.’

‘You’re not afraid to put him in his place. He needs someone who will stand up to him, and he’d never put up with a silly girl who demanded his attention all the time and talked about nothing but folderols and fripperies. Matt’s not like that.’

‘He’s wonderful,’ Prissy breathed, closing her eyes. ‘If I had one big wish I know what it would be.’

Lily glanced over her shoulder at the sound of approaching footsteps and for a moment she thought she was seeing things. She blinked hard. ‘I think your wish and mine might have been answered, Prissy,’ she murmured as she saw two familiar figures striding towards her. They appeared to be deep in conversation and her breath hitched in her throat. She hardly dared to hope as Matt and Gabriel drew nearer, with Mark and Luke close behind them. Anxiously she scanned Matt’s face for signs of outrage, but she could see that he was smiling. He threw back his head and laughed, slapping Gabriel on the back.

‘It’s all settled, Lily,’ Matt said, encompassing her and Prissy in a warm smile. ‘Gabriel’s worn me down and I’ll not stand in your way any longer.’

Prissy uttered a shriek of joy and threw her arms around Matt’s neck. ‘You’re a toff, Matt Larkin. A real toff.’

He lifted her off her feet, planting a kiss on her lips. ‘I’ve wanted to do that for a long time, Prissy. You’ve done something to me, girl. I dunno what it is but I like it.’

‘Well I’m blowed, you dark horse.’ Mark slapped him on the back. ‘I thought you hated women.’

‘I hadn’t met the right one,’ Matt said, grinning. ‘I’ve been plucking up the courage to make the first move, but she did it for me.’ He kissed her again, receiving a round of applause from his brothers.

Gabriel slipped his arm around Lily’s waist. ‘It seems like a happy outcome after all, my darling.’

Still clutching Prissy as if he was afraid she might suddenly fly away, Matt nodded his head in agreement. ‘You can marry your bloke, Lily, and I wish you well.’ He picked up the heavy basket of meat and vegetables that Prissy had put down, proffering his arm to her. ‘Let’s go inside. I want to put everyone straight as to how to treat you now, Prissy. You’ve been treated like a servant and it’s got to stop.’

‘Yes, Matt,’ Prissy said meekly. ‘Anything you say.’ She tucked her hand in the crook of his arm, but paused as they reached the door, turning to Lily with a broad grin. ‘I done it, Lily. I done it.’

‘I wish you well too, Lily,’ Mark said, giving her a
smacking kiss on the cheek. ‘And you’d better treat her right or you’ll have me to answer to, Gabriel.’

‘I’ll treasure her for the rest of my life,’ Gabriel said softly.

Luke nudged his brother out of the way. ‘I’ll write a poem for your wedding day, Lil, and I’m going to speak to Christian about getting a job on his newspaper. It may not be poet laureate stuff, but I think I’ve got a talent for putting things into words.’ He gave her a hug, turning to Gabriel with a wide grin. ‘It looks like she’s all yours, old chap.’ He hurried into the house, leaving them alone on the quay wall.

Gabriel took hold of Lily’s hand, looking deeply into her eyes and smiling. ‘I’m no poet when it comes to writing down how much I love and adore you, but I think you know how I feel.’

She nodded her head. ‘I do.’

‘And I’ve managed to convince your brothers that I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy. You know that too, don’t you?’

She smiled. ‘I do, Gabriel.’

‘According to Lockwood the exhibition was a huge success and I’ve already sold two of my works, so now I can ask you humbly and from the bottom of my heart if you’ll consent to be my wife, my dearest Lily.’

‘You already know the answer to that, my love.’ She slid her hands around his neck, drawing his head down until their lips touched in a kiss that sealed her pledge to love him until the day she died.

This eBook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.