Chapter 28 #2
“You’ve got to admit, he treats you ’andsome,” Violet sighed. “Even if he didn’t offer you marriage like that captain of the guards what was sweet on you.”
“Oh, he does,” Caroline agreed, taking another cautious sip of champagne. “Have another chocolate.”
“Don’t mind if I do,” Vi said, reaching across to help herself to another rose cream.
“And all that lovely jewelry,” she added enviously.
They had been through all the gift boxes and oohed and ahhed over every item.
“Those kind of trinkets cost a bit. And ’andkerchiefs, stockings, and I don’t know what!
I will say, he could do with buying you a few new gowns, mind you,” she added critically.
“Every time I see you, you’re trailing about in your nightie. ”
“Oh, he ordered me some today,” Caroline assured her, not bothering to explain the toga. “From a dressmakers on Conduit Street.”
Effie and Vi exchanged wide-eyed glances. “’E must be rich as a lord too!” Vi breathed reverently. “You lucky devil!”
“I don’t know about that,” Caroline said doubtfully. “Gervaise is always saying he has no money.”
“They always says that when they’re old money,” Vi retorted. “Then they say ‘oh, it’s my father’s, not mine,’ or something else daft like that. It’s only new money what admits they’ve got pots of the stuff and sometimes they exaggerates. You take my word for it.” She nodded wisely.
“I still say you want to get ’im to put that money he promised you up someplace safe, like a bank,” Effie said, sucking in her cheeks. “Only, you know what they’re like.”
Vi waved an arm expansively. “Don’t you listen to Effie, she’s soured on love. She’s giving poor Jeb the runaround.”
“Poor Jeb?” Effie repeated explosively. “He’s a bleedin’ viper in my bosom! That’s wot he is!”
Caroline reached across to top up her glass. “Might I ask what happened between you?”
“You might, and welcome,” Effie said, taking a swig of bubbles.
“I’ve had just about enough, that’s what.
Jeb’s old mum never liked me. Never thought I was good enough for her only son.
I’ve never been invited round her ’ouse ’cos she finks I’d be a bad influence on ’is sisters.
Jeb goes round there every Sunday for dinner while they all pretend I don’t exist.”
She took a steadying breath. “I always thought, if I gave them time, let them see how well I looked after him, they’d come around and see that I wasn’t just some worthless guttersnipe from the slums. Never seen ’im wiv a loose button nor a torn jacket sleeve, she ain’t,” she said proudly.
“Not in the years I’ve kept ’ouse for him.
The rooms we’ve rented ’ave always been spick and span!
” she said with a crack in her voice. “Now I find out ’is mum and ’is sisters have been seeking to replace me.
Introducin’ ’im to other women and the like, in the ’opes he’d up and leave me.
Tellin’ them he’s a bachelor and encouragin’ ’im to go out walkin’ wiv them before dinner.
” Effie’s bosom heaved. “And Jeb… Well, let’s just say ’e never told me any of that,” she said bitterly.
“How did you find out?” Caroline asked in a low voice.
“You tell her, Effie,” Vi recommended, smacking her lips after draining her glass. “Tell her wot that cheeky bitch said to you!”
Effie drew herself up. “Some woman approached me on Tuesday. Told me how shameless I was for chasin’ after a man what don’t want me no more. Apparently, she’s some friend of his sister’s what has expectations of making an honest man of ’im. Well, good luck to her, I say,” Effie added tightly.
“If she manages it, she’s a better woman than me. I’ve been dreamin’ these past four years of Jeb Morris marryin’ me, but that dream has died a lingerin’ death. She can ’ave ’im and welcome.” Blinking back tears, she lifted her glass defiantly. “To Jeb’s future wife.”
Caroline topped up Violet’s empty glass. “May she be miserable as sin!” Vi toasted. “The sanctimonious cow!”
Caroline clinked her glass against their own. “What will you do now?” she asked Effie.
“Well,” she replied grimly. “I’ve moved in with Vi, temporary like, but she’s only got two rooms and they’re too far out.”
Vi nodded. “They’re in Bethnal Green,” she explained glumly. “It was all I could afford on my wages.”
“I’m proper counting on this place to give me a job behind the bar. Then I can get digs of my own. I don’t suppose Ralph has said anything to you?” she asked hopefully. “Only he did say as he would need to talk it over wiv his lordship.”
“He did mention it,” Caroline said, casting her mind back. She did not think Gervaise had been terribly keen on the idea of female staff, but she did not mention this. Then she thought of Barty Ewell. “And I’m sure Mr. Ewell will agree to it. He seems to have an appreciative eye for the ladies.”
“That’s a good point,” Effie said, tapping her chin. “I keep forgetting he gets a say now.”
“You’ll have to work your wiles on him,” Vi recommended. “Only don’t do it when Jeb’s around.”
“And wot’s it got to do wiv’ Jeb, that’s wot I’d like to know!” Effie said, tossing her red hair. “I can suit meself now, like wot he does! What’s sauce for the gander and all that!” She drained the last drop out of her glass and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
Caroline, finding the first bottle empty, reached for the second. “Good girl,” Vi commented approvingly. “I will say, Caroline you’re improving on me by the minute. Quite the hostess, ain’t she?”
Caroline laughed as she struggled with the cork. “Do you know, it’s just occurred to me. There’s that dormitory room opposite these ones. It was used for workers and craftsmen when this place was being decorated.” The other two gazed back at her blankly.
“I was wondering if, well, if ‘digs’ could be included,” she said, trying out the new word, “as a perk to the job for female bar staff. After all, walking home through the dark streets after a late shift must be a daunting thing and it might encourage applicants.” Noticing how the other two had sat up and were exchanging glances, she stopped. “What? What did I say?”
“You really think they might go for it?” Effie asked eagerly. She scrambled to her feet. “Let’s go and take a look at it now.”
“What about me?” Vi chimed in, hurriedly following. “Caroline, will you put my name forward too? I’m sick to death of my current post at the Fosters Grill.”
“I will,” Caroline assured her and Violet slipped her arm through hers as they crossed the passageway. Caroline paused at the door. “Just to warn you, I’ve heard it is a bit cold in there without the fire lit… And there are only mattresses in there currently, no actual bedframes.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve dossed down on a mattress,” Vi replied sanguinely.
Caroline pushed the door open and they went inside.