“I do love riding in this motorcar.” Gertie snuggled back in the soft leather seat and drew the collar of her wool coat closer around her neck. “It makes me feel like royalty. I want to wave at everyone as we go by.”
Seated next to her behind the huge steering wheel, Dan chuckled. “Go ahead and wave. I’m sure they’ll all wave back.”
“Nah. They’ll just think I’m showing off.” She ran a finger along the walnut dashboard. “It’s a real pretty motorcar, though. I see lots of people looking at it as we drive down the street.”
“These Austins are well built.” Dan patted the steering wheel. “It can go sixteen miles an hour downhill. Maybe even faster on a long slope.”
Gertie gasped. “That sounds really fast.”
Dan nodded. “They are building bigger and better motors all the time. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see a motorcar going twenty-five, thirty miles an hour in a year or two.”
“Blimey, that’s dangerous. What happens when you cross the road and one’s coming at you? Like what happened to you yesterday. You wouldn’t have time to get out the bloody way, would you.”
“You’d have to keep a sharp lookout for them, that’s all. Just like you do horses.”
Gertie thought about that. “I dunno. I think I’d rather dodge horses than motorcars. I don’t know what the world’s coming to, what with all this new stuff going on. I heard some blokes talking the other day about someone in America making a machine that can fly off the ground.” She shook her head. “Can you imagine that?”
“The Wright brothers.” Dan did something with a stick near his knees and the car jerked, sending Gertie lurching forward. “They say one day they will build a machine that will fly them all the way across the country.”
Gertie found that hard to believe, but not wanting to seem ignorant, she refrained from saying so. “Well, I’d rather go out in this motorcar than in a flying machine any day. I like to feel the ground under me.”
Dan grinned. “I can’t say I blame you.”
Remembering something, Gertie sat upright. “I thought you said you got hit by another motorcar last night.”
“No, I said I swerved to avoid getting hit.”
“But I thought you said you got bumped and that’s how you hurt your face.”
Dan sighed. “Maybe I did.”
“So where is the dent in the motorcar? Is it a bad one? I didn’t see it when I got in. Will it cost a lot to mend it? How-”
“Gertie!” He sounded irritable and she snapped her mouth shut. “It was just a light scratch. I rubbed it out with some polish so you can’t see it.”
“Sorry.”
She’d mumbled the word and he was quick to make amends. Reaching for her hand he gave it a light squeeze. “Never mind, luv. It was nothing, honest. Tell me about the carol singing at the hotel. Will you be able to go?”
“I hope so.” She stole a quick glance at him and was relieved to see his jaw relaxed again. “Will you come if I can go?”
“Will it be all right with Mrs. Baxter?”
“Course it would. You haven’t seen the decorations yet, have you. Miss Pengrath does a lovely job with them. Oh, I mean Mrs. Prestwick. I keep forgetting she’s married now.”
If she’d hoped the subject of marriage might start a conversation about their own relationship she was soon disappointed.
“If she did half as well as she did last year with the decorations,” Dan said, bringing the motorcar to a halt, “it’s bound to look fantastic. She really does make it look good. In fact, the windows were lit up so bright last night I thought the hotel was on fire, until I realized it was candles on a Christmas tree. Must have been dozens of them.” He shut off the engine and the motor shuddered into silence.
Glancing out the window, Gertie saw that they were in the courtyard of the George and Dragon. On either side carriages were lined up one behind the other, while the horses were gathered in a pen in the field beyond.
Light flowed from the lattice windows of the pub, and the sound of laughter echoed into the night. The tinkling notes of an out of tune piano could be heard above the chatter, and someone was singing with great gusto and painfully off-key.
It all sounded so festive, and she felt a stir of excitement. Thank goodness she’d told Dan earlier about Ian. He’d been shocked, as she’d expected, but he’d got over it really fast, and now they could put it behind them, at least for tonight.
She waited for Dan to open the door for her, then stepped out onto the pavement. This was the moment she loved, stepping down from the beautiful motorcar with Dan holding her hand like a prince escorting a princess.
That’s how he always made her feel. Like a princess. No one had ever made her feel that way before. No one had ever treated her the way Dan treated her. She could be really, really happy, if only he would say something about their future together. Even if she had to wait a year or two to get married. It was the not knowing that bothered her.
“Don’t look so worried,” Dan said, as he tucked her hand into his elbow. “The private lounge will be just as much fun as the public bar. From what I hear they have a nice supper laid out and there’ll be singing and dancing.”
Gertie began to feel nervous. What if someone saw her and told madam? She’d be in hot water all right. “I can’t sing or dance.”
“Then we’ll watch.” He laughed, and pulled her to the door. “I’ll teach you to dance, Gertie McBride, and if you come out of here tonight without saying you had the best night out ever, I’ll walk all the way to the motorcar on my hands.”
“Now that’s something I’ve got to see.” Putting her qualms behind her, Gertie stepped through the door into the warm, smoky chaos of the Christmas party.
After having enjoyed supper in the dining room, Cecily sat opposite her husband in front of a crackling fire in their suite and did her best to concentrate on the conversation.
She found it hard to relax, however, unable to prevent the questions haunting her, mainly how someone had known about Gertie threatening Ian with a knife. She felt sure it had to be a key to the puzzle, and the only way she was going to solve it was to ask everyone who might have overheard the quarrel. Starting with Mrs. Chubb. She would tackle her first thing in the morning, she decided.
“May I ask what is troubling you to the extent you are completely ignoring me?”
Baxter’s voice cut into her thoughts, jarring her to attention. “Oh, I’m sorry, darling. I was thinking about the Christmas pantomime tomorrow night. Phoebe promised to be here early tomorrow to go over the final arrangements.” Feeling guilty for having been less than truthful, she leaned forward and patted his hand. “I promise you will have my undivided attention for the rest of the evening.”
“I certainly hope so.” He caught her fingers in his and raised them to his mouth. “I’m aware that we have been married long enough for you to grow weary of my company, but I sincerely hope we have not reached the point of shutting each other out completely.”
“Nor shall we ever, my love.” She sent him her warmest smile. “And neither am I, nor shall I ever be, weary of your company. I simply have a lot on my mind, that’s all.”
“Humph. Well, I hope at least you’re not stewing over the unfortunate demise of Mr. Rossiter.” He let go of her hand and reached for his brandy glass.
Knowing how upset he’d be if he knew that’s exactly what had been occupying her mind, Cecily made a determined effort to banish all thoughts of the murder from her mind. Tonight belonged to her husband. Tomorrow would be soon enough to continue her investigation.
It was almost midnight when Dan pulled up outside the Pennyfoot. Already half asleep, Gertie returned his goodnight kiss. “You were right,” she said, snuggling into his shoulder, “it was the best night ever.” Or it would have been, she added inwardly, if he’d said something, anything, that would let her know he really, truly loved her. Then she could look forward to the day he asked her to marry him.
“Well, I’m happy to hear that.” Dan gave her shoulders a squeeze. “I wasn’t looking forward to walking on my hands on this wet road.”
She laughed. “I wouldn’t have let you do that. Besides, every time I go out with you is the best time I’ve ever spent in my life.”
“Me, too.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Now you’d better run along. It’s getting late and I know you have to be up early in the morning.”
Feeling a stab of disappointment, she pulled away from him. “Yeah, you’re right. I wouldn’t want to be worn out and dragging around the kitchen all day.”
He must have heard something in her voice, as he caught her arm just as she was slipping away from him. “Gertie? Is something wrong? You’re not worrying about this Ian business are you? The constable can’t arrest you without evidence, and since there isn’t any, you’ll be all right. Mrs. Baxter will see to that.”
“I know. It’s not that.” She hesitated, afraid to say too much in case she frightened him off. “I was just wondering. You do like me, don’t you?”
For a long moment he just sat there looking at her, until she got really nervous that she’d gone too far. “Of course I like you,” he said at last. “You’re the reason I came back from London. I thought you knew that.”
“Yes, of course I know that.” She smiled. “I just like to hear you say it, that’s all.”
“I like you, Gertie McBride.” He leaned forward and kissed her nose. “Sleep well. I’ll see you soon.”
She nodded. “You sleep well, too.” She slammed the door shut and watched him drive off, already missing him.
I like you, Gertie McBride he’d said. Like, not love. He’d never said he loved her. Not once. So many times she’d been tempted to say it, but had always changed her mind at the last minute, afraid he’d feel trapped or something and she’d never see him again.
It was hard, loving him like she did, without ever knowing how he really felt about her. It was all very well for him to say he’d left London to be with her, but that could simply mean he liked living on the coast better than the city and enjoyed her company.
If only she knew for sure, one way or the other. How she hated all these guessing games. One of these days she’d just come right out and say it, and then it would be up to him. Only she knew full well that she’d be a lot more miserable without him than she was now, even with the not knowing.
“Men,” she muttered, as she closed the yard gate behind her. “Bleeding more trouble than they’re worth, they are.” Shivering in the cold, she drew her thin shawl closer to her neck as she hurried across the yard to the kitchen door. All she hoped now was that no one would see her sneaking back to her room.
It was warm inside the kitchen, with coals still glowing in the stove. She held her hands out to the heat, and breathed in the delicious spicy aroma of mince pies and fruit cake. Mrs. Chubb had been busy.
The smell made her hungry, and she turned her back on the stove, knowing she should get to her room so that Daisy could get some sleep. Reluctantly she left the kitchen and made her way down the darkened hallway to her room.
Quietly opening the door, she peeked in. The twins were asleep in their beds, and Daisy was on her back on Gertie’s bed, snoring like a drunk docker.
Gertie crept across the floor, wincing as the floorboards creaked under her feet. She shook Daisy’s arm, and the snoring cut off with a snort.
The nanny stirred and slowly opened her eyes. Blinking, she demanded, “What time is it?”
“Shhshh!” Gertie put her finger to her lips. “You’ll wake the twins.”
“Sorry.” Daisy swung her feet to the floor. “I’ll get off to my room.”
“Thank you, Daisy. See you in the morning. And remember, mum’s the word.”
Daisy nodded, blew a kiss to the sleeping twins, then disappeared into the darkness.
Gertie closed the door and sank onto the edge of the bed. She was too hungry to go to sleep. Having been so excited at the thought of going out with Dan, she’d hardly eaten any supper, and the pickled egg she’d eaten down the pub didn’t exactly fill her up.
The thought of all those mince pies cooling in the pantry made her stomach growl. If she was going to get any sleep at all, she’d have to eat something. Surely Mrs. Chubb wouldn’t miss one or two mince pies.
After making sure the twins were still sleeping peacefully, she picked up the oil lamp and crept to the door. She’d only be gone a minute or two. Just long enough to grab something to eat and a glass of milk. But just in case, she left the door open a little bit. If the twins cried out she’d hear them down the hallway. Hurrying toward the kitchen, she licked her lips in anticipation of the treat in store.
The coals had died down in the few minutes she’d been gone, with only a faint glow left to warm the room. Carrying the lamp over to the pantry, she looked inside. There on the shelf stood platters of mince pies and five large fruitcakes waiting to be decorated with royal icing.
The smell made Gertie feel faint. She would have loved a hefty chunk of fruitcake, but she could just imagine Chubby’s face if she walked into the pantry the next morning and saw a slice cut out of her precious cake.
Gertie grinned at the thought. Mince pies now, well, that was a different matter. She balanced the lamp on the shelf, then scooped up three of the miniature pies. After slipping two of them into her pocket, she took a bite out of the third.
With a sigh of pure pleasure she chewed it down, then shoved the rest of the pie in her mouth. It tasted even better than it smelled. Swallowing the last of it, she reached for the jug of milk.
She thought about getting a cup, then shrugged and tipped the jug so she could drink a few mouthfuls from it, before replacing it on the shelf. With a quick swipe of her mouth with her sleeve, she grabbed the lamp and hurried out of the pantry, being careful to close the door behind her.
A moment or two later she was back in her room and closing the door. As she was putting the lamp back on the dresser, James spoke from his bed. “Where have you been?”
Gertie spun around, to see both twins sitting up in bed staring at her. “I went out tonight. Remember? I told you I was going to see Uncle Dan.”
“Where did Daisy go?”
He sounded accusing, and Gertie felt guilty. They must have woken up and realized they were alone. “I went to get you these,” she said quickly. She pulled the mince pies from her pocket and took them over to the beds. “Here, you can eat it now if you like.”
James took his and immediately jammed it in his mouth.
Lillian looked at hers as if it would bite her. “What is it?”
“It’s a mince pie.” Gertie nodded at James. “Look, he likes it. You’ve eaten them before. Last Christmas you ate a lot of them, remember?”
Lillian gingerly took the mince pie in her fingers. “Where did the elf go?”
Gertie frowned. “The elf?”
“She’s been dreaming,” James said, his mouth still full of mince pie. “She’s always dreaming, aren’t you Lilly.”
Lillian took a small bite of the pie. “I don’t like it.” She held it out to Gertie.
“I’ll have it.” James grabbed it before Gertie could take it.
“I bet the elf would have liked it,” Lillian said.
“Give that to me.” Gertie took the mince pie away from James. “One is quite enough. Now the two of you, go to sleep. You know Father Christmas is watching you, and if you don’t do what you’re told, he won’t leave you no presents.”
“He sent the elf to watch us, too,” Lillian said, snuggling down under the blankets.
“I told you she’s always dreaming.” James plopped down, too. “Go back to sleep, Lilly.”
For answer Lillian murmured a sleepy “G’night.”
Gertie smiled. “Goodnight you two precious things.” She tucked them up then went back to her own bed. The bedclothes were still rumpled from Daisy’s doze, and she straightened them, then glanced over at the twins. They both appeared to be sleeping. Quickly she popped the rescued mince pie in her mouth, and went over to the dresser.
After pulling out all the pins from her hair she dropped them in the little dish she kept on her dresser. As she did so, she noticed a piece of white cotton poking out from one of her drawers.
Easing the drawer open, she saw all her unmentionables rumpled up and thrown about. That Lillian, she thought darkly. She was always getting into her clothes and trying them on. She’d asked Daisy to see that the twins didn’t touch anything while she was gone, but once that girl got her nose in a book she wouldn’t notice if Father Christmas hisself came down the chimney.
Glancing over at the bedside table, she saw that the clock and the photograph of her, Dan, and the twins had been moved as well. The twins must have had quite a game together while she was gone.
On impulse she crossed the room and opened the wardrobe. Sure enough, her clothes were shoved back to one side and the lid was off her good shoe box. She’d have a word with those little blighters in the morning and set them straight once and for all. No doubt Lillian would blame it all on a bloody elf.
Quickly she undressed and climbed into bed. Now she could close her eyes and dream about Dan asking her to marry him, which was a whole lot more interesting than Lillian’s elves.