The Forgotten Family (16 page)

‘Thank you, Albert.’ She glanced at her son, who nodded in agreement. ‘We would be happy to come.’

‘Excellent. If you travel down on the fifteenth I’ll arrange to have a carriage waiting for you at the station. There is a train that will arrive around midday.’

‘We shall look forward to that,’ Augusta said, then turned to Ellie. ‘Have you had your coming out, or did your mother’s ill health make that impossible?’

‘I have no wish to go through all that.’ Ellie was horrified. She knew it was the normal thing to do and most young ladies looked forward to it, but not her. ‘From what I have been told it is all frivolity, and searching for a husband.’

‘And you do not wish to marry?’

‘One day I expect I will, but I don’t want to be forced into it, or put on display for men pretending to like me because of my father’s estate.’ She shuddered visibly. ‘One would be judged on one’s wealth, and I would not tolerate that!’

‘Quite right.’ Augusta approved. ‘I felt exactly the same. My husband was the son of a family friend. We fell in love
and had a happy marriage. I also refused to be presented at court. It caused quite an uproar. My mother was dismayed, but I would not be moved.’

Ellie studied the woman with renewed interest. She seemed charming and sensible, but she was surprised her father had invited them to stay with them on such a short acquaintance. And a party for her birthday had not been mentioned before. It must be something he had been planning without telling her. She cast him a fond glance. If she was hurting him by insisting that she find her other family, then he had never complained.

They stayed another hour, and then took their leave. It had been a difficult meeting with her sister, and Ellie felt as if all her energy had been drained away. She was longing to get home and talk with Nanny.

James watched the cab till it disappeared, and then turned to his mother. ‘What a very interesting visit. Eleanor may not be of Albert Warrender’s blood, but he considers her his daughter nonetheless.’

‘I liked her, and admire her determination to find her siblings. She is not one to shy away from unpleasant tasks, I think. Once she found out about her parentage, she could not rest until she faced the past. That takes great strength of character, and in that way she is like Albert. When you see them together I would not have doubted that they are father and daughter, although their colouring is quite different they are alike in temperament.’

James nodded. ‘She’s an intriguing girl.’

‘Albert told me that he was frightened to tell her about the adoption in case he lost her.’

‘Well, that hasn’t happened. I would say they are very close.’

‘That was also my impression. He appears to be a kind, understanding man. A rarity these days.’

‘Don’t be misled by what you saw today. Albert Warrender is a powerful man.’ James shook his head, a look of amusement on his face. ‘He has been a Member of Parliament for some years, fighting fiercely for the underprivileged. I am informed that you upset him at your peril.’

‘Have you been checking up on him, James?’

‘Of course, Mother. I wanted to know something about the stranger who was calling on us.’ James sat down and crossed his legs. ‘But he is highly regarded, and very wealthy, I’m told.’

Augusta gave an inelegant snort. ‘Well, he would be highly regarded if he is rich. So are we. Did you find out anything else?’

‘Only gossip. It’s said that he loved his wife and stayed with her, even though she couldn’t have children.’ James pursed his lips. ‘If he had a mistress, then I couldn’t find one.’

‘That could only mean he has been discreet.’ Augusta studied her son with interest. ‘You have been thorough. So, now you’ve met him, what is your opinion?’

‘I would like to know him better before giving an opinion on such a short acquaintance. But he seems an impressive man.’

‘Indeed.’ Augusta gazed into space. ‘He has the most extraordinary eyes, amber, wouldn’t you say?’

James laughed. ‘I never noticed, Mother.’

A tentative tap on the door stopped their conversation. It opened slightly and a very worried girl looked in.

‘Ah, Margaret, I was about to send for you.’ Augusta beckoned her to come forward.

She edged into the room, visibly shaking. ‘I apologise for leaving the room without permission, madam.’ Tears filled her eyes. ‘I was so shocked when the girl told me who she was, and I didn’t know what I was doing.’

‘You need not look so frightened, Margaret,’ Augusta said gently to her nervous maid. ‘I shall not dispense with your services. You would not be easy to replace.’

‘Oh, thank you, madam.’ Maggie breathed a huge sigh of relief.

‘Your sister is a charming girl, and was dreadfully upset by your rejection, but she understands. But could you not have been a little kinder to her?’

‘I know I should have been, but I’ve always blamed her for the trouble at home, though that was wrong of me. She was just a little thing when she was taken away.’

‘Taken away?’ James asked, sharply. ‘That’s a strange way to put it. We understood that she was adopted by Mr Warrender and his wife.’

Maggie shook her head. ‘It wasn’t him that came for her. There was a woman in the carriage, but we didn’t see her. A man got out, picked up Queenie, and shoved her inside, then he handed over some money, and they drove off. My mum and dad sold her.’

‘Sold her?’ Augusta exclaimed. ‘But that is barbaric. And you say it wasn’t Mr Warrender?’

‘I don’t think so. I’d have remembered him. Queenie hung out of the carriage crying for us to help her.’ Tears began to trickle down Maggie’s face as she remembered. ‘I’ve tried hard to forget that awful day, and her turning up like this has brought it all back. But she’s obviously done all right for herself.’

‘It has turned out well for her, but it could have been very different.’ Augusta turned to her son. ‘I don’t like the sound of this, James.’

‘Neither do I, Mother. It’s hard to believe that Mr Warrender sent someone to pluck the child from her family. I would have said he was a man of integrity, but perhaps the facade of a perfect gentleman is not the truth.’

‘Well, we shall have the opportunity to find out when we visit him.’ She nodded to her maid. ‘In two weeks’ time we shall be going to stay with Mr Warrender. I would like you to accompany me, as always.’

‘Of course, madam, you’ll need your own staff. There’s no telling what the maids are like there.’

Augusta hid her amusement at her maid’s possessive attitude. ‘I’m sure they are competent, but I would prefer to have you with me.’

The train chugged along, the swaying motion easing some of the tension from Ellie. She gazed at her father who was sitting opposite her, deep in thought. Having the compartment to themselves, they could speak freely. ‘Mrs Montague is a handsome lady, do you not think so, Father?’

‘Hmm?’ He looked up. ‘Oh, yes, very charming.’

‘We didn’t see her husband.’

‘She told me she has been a widow these last eighteen months.’

‘Oh, in that case then I doubt she will be short of suitors. She will be what they call a “good catch”.’ Ellie’s tone was teasing. ‘As you will be. By this time next year you will be pursued by many unattached females.’

‘I have no intention of being caught.’ His mouth twitched.

‘Mother always said that she’d had to fight off hoards of women trying to snare you.’ Ellie grinned. It was good to talk about the happy times.

He laughed freely for the first time in quite a while. ‘It was the other way round. Mary had them queuing at her door. I had to be ruthless to get past them.’

It suddenly occurred to Ellie that her father might remarry one day. Would she find it easy to accept another woman in her mother’s place, or her father’s affections? Her frown deepened as a vague memory prodded at her of her father bending down and removing her shoes so she could run barefoot through the grass.

‘Why the creased brow, Eleanor?’

‘Oh, it’s nothing. I was trying to remember something, but it’s gone now.’ She changed the subject. ‘I didn’t know you were planning a celebration for my birthday.’

‘Your mother made me promise that we would mark the occasion of your eighteenth birthday with a celebration.’

Ellie nodded, quite overcome that even in such poor health, her mother had thought about this special birthday. ‘We’ll make it a happy time.’

‘Indeed we shall. You may invite anyone you like.’

‘Could we ask Pearl, Dave, Jack and Mr Rogers?’

‘I will see that they all receive invitations.’

The next day, Ellie was summoned to her father’s study, her excitement rising when she found Mr Steadman there. But apprehension quickly set in when she saw their grave expressions. If one of her family had been found, then it didn’t look like good news. She braced herself. ‘Which one is it?’ she blurted out, unable to control herself.

‘I have traced a Thomas Bonner, Miss Warrender, but …’ Mr Steadman hesitated, glancing at Albert.

‘Sit down, Eleanor.’ Her father waited until she had done so, hands clasped tightly in her lap.

‘Is he dead?’ she asked.

‘No, he is alive and in Pentonville.’

‘Gaol?’ She’d heard about that place. ‘What has he done?’

‘Robbery with violence.’ Her father didn’t soften the words, knowing she would not want the truth hidden from her. ‘It seems he is a persistent offender, and this time a shopkeeper was seriously injured when he tried to stop the robbery.’

She glanced from one man to the other, horrified by this news. ‘Is the shopkeeper going to recover?’

‘Yes, miss. Tommy Bonner has been lucky. He’s serving ten years in gaol, but he could so easily have faced the hangman’s noose.’

Ellie shuddered. ‘That’s horrific. How long ago did this happen?’

‘Just a year, Miss.’

‘I want to see him, Father.’

‘No.’ The refusal was firm. ‘I will not have my daughter going into such a place.’

‘But—’

Her protest was cut off. ‘I have been accommodating so far, but this is something I will not agree to. I’ll visit him, and this is the only concession I will make. By the sound of him, this is one brother you would do well to cross from your list.’

She knew from his tone and stance – standing straight with feet slightly apart and mouth set in a straight line – that no amount of begging would make him change his mind. He did not often taken such a firm stand against something she wanted to do, but when he did, then she knew better than to pursue the subject.

When she nodded, he softened slightly. ‘I’ll see him and assess the situation.’

‘Will you tell him about me?’

‘That will depend on what kind of a man he is. If his character is such that reform seems impossible, then that will be the end of it, Eleanor. I will not allow you anywhere near him. Is that understood? You must trust me.’

‘I do, Father,’ she said. ‘That leaves only Harry and Bert. Is there any news of them?’

‘Nothing definite, miss, but I’m still working on it. I have asked Mr Warrender if I can widen the search. He has given me permission to do that, so I’ll see what I can find out.’

After Maggie’s rejection, and finding out that Tommy
was a criminal, Ellie was desperate to trace the remaining brothers.

Watching Eleanor walk from the room, Albert’s heart was heavy. There was an air of distraction and confusion about her, almost as if she had lost her way, not knowing who she was any more. This was more than a search for her forgotten family, it was a search for a part of her life.

‘Tommy sounds like a bad one, sir. If you like I’ll visit him in Pentonville for you.’

Albert shook his head. ‘That won’t be necessary, Mr Steadman. Thank you all the same, but it won’t be the first time I’ve been inside a gaol. And I’ve promised my daughter I’ll talk to him. I hope we have better luck with the last two. That’s if you can find them.’

‘I’ll do my best, sir, even if it’s only a gravestone.’

Three days later Albert was in Pentonville, waiting for Tommy Bonner to be brought to him. He was hoping that this boy was nothing to do with Eleanor, but Mr Steadman was certain that he was her brother. Damn, he’d known this search was going to be fraught, but he couldn’t protect Eleanor from every upset in life, and he was certain she would survive this, and emerge a stronger person.

When the door opened he watched with narrowed eyes as Bonner walked towards him. There was no doubt about his parentage. He was the image of his father, Fred Bonner, and full of cocky bravado. It was not a good start.

‘Who are you?’ Tommy demanded as soon as he sat opposite Albert. ‘What you want with me?’

‘Who I am can wait for the moment.’ Albert held his gaze, trying to see beneath the surface, feeling a jolt as he
looked into eyes the same colour as Eleanor’s. But these eyes were hooded, wary, and yes, crafty. ‘I want you to tell me exactly what happened in the robbery where the man was injured.’

‘Why should I tell you? You a lawyer, or something?’

‘Something. Now, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll talk to me. And I want the truth.’

Tommy folded his arms, and glared at Albert. ‘I told the truth, but they still put me in here for ten years and bleedin’ well threw away the key. I’m a thief, I admit that, but I ain’t never hurt no one.’

That remark gave Albert some hope, slim though it was. ‘Tell me what happened, and if you’re not guilty of a violent crime, then I might be able to help you.’

‘Why should you? I don’t know you.’

Albert’s sigh was one of exasperation. ‘You’re going to have to trust me. Come on, Tommy, talk to me. What have you got to lose?’

Giving a shrug, Tommy leant his elbows on the table. ‘I was with two others. I shouldn’t have got mixed up with them ’cos they’re nasty types, but I was broke. They said the shop would be easy as there was only an old bloke on his own. It wasn’t my usual caper. I’ve always worked alone; breaking into houses when I knew everyone was out. You got any fags?’

Expecting this, Albert pushed a packet of cigarettes across the table with matches, and then waited.

Tommy lit one and took a deep drag, then continued. ‘Well, I thought we was only going to take things we could sell, but the other two jumped behind the counter and started
threatening the old bloke, trying to make him open the safe. I tried to stop them, but they shoved me out of the way. I didn’t want to have nothing to do with robbin’ the safe.’

When Tommy dropped his gaze and began examining the cigarette packet, Albert’s mouth set in an angry line. He knew when someone was lying. ‘Start again,’ he snapped, ‘and I want the truth this time.’

‘All right, all right.’ Tommy looked up, defiance shining in his eyes. ‘I’m good at opening safes. That’s why they took me along. I was working on it when the old man tried to stop me, but I didn’t hit him. It was the others. When they saw what they’d done they did a runner, and I was the one who got caught. The old man can’t remember what happened, so he said it was me.’

That was a more believable tale, though Albert was still not convinced. ‘Who were the other two?’

‘Oh, no you don’t, mate. I ain’t no grass. They’d have put me away for robbery anyway.’

‘True, but if it could be proved that you didn’t hurt that man, then we might be able to get your sentence reduced.’

‘The only way you could do that is if the old man remembers who hit him, and from what I’ve heard, he don’t remember a blasted thing.’ Tommy eyed the man opposite him with renewed interest. ‘All right, I’ve told you what happened, now it’s your turn, mister. Who the bleedin’ hell are you, and why are you here?’

Albert didn’t like this boy, and he still didn’t believe his story. He was very different from Ted and Jack, but he had to do this for Eleanor’s sake. If it had been up to him he would have walked away when faced with Tommy’s
hostility and outright lies. With Ted there had been a spark of something good in him, but he could detect nothing likeable in this Bonner. ‘Your sister sent me. She’s concerned about you.’ Albert sat back watching the boy’s expression intently.

Tommy started to stand up. ‘You ain’t a bad liar yourself, mate. Pearl and Maggie don’t know I’m in here.’

‘No, but Queenie does.’

It was as if Tommy froze on the spot, taking in deep breaths as he stared at Albert in disbelief. ‘Queenie?’ The name came out in a growl. ‘That poor little bugger? The old man sold her, and we never found out where she’d been taken.’

‘I know where she is.’

‘It was you! You bought her. A little scrap of a girl, full of laughter and innocence.’ Tommy’s hands were bunched into tight fists. ‘It must have been you, or you wouldn’t know about this.’ In a rage, Tommy launched himself at Albert. ‘You bastard. What kind of a man are you?’

Before Tommy could land a punch, two guards burst into the room, pinning his arms to his side. ‘Back to the cells for you.’ They started to drag him away.

‘Wait!’ The authority in Albert’s voice stopped them. ‘Sit him in the chair. I haven’t finished with him yet.’

The guards looked doubtful. ‘He’s a nasty piece of work, sir.’

‘I can look after myself, but if you’re that concerned, you can stay in the room.

When the guards moved to the other side of the room, Albert pointed to the chair. ‘Sit down, Tommy, and stop
acting like a bloody idiot. Do I have to go back to Queenie and tell her you are nothing but a violent criminal?’

The boy slid into the seat, looking thoroughly confused. ‘How is she?’ he asked, huskily, showing the first sign of gentleness.

‘She’s very well, and has had a happy life. My wife and I adopted her and brought her up as our own daughter. I’ve told her how she came to us and she wishes to find all of her siblings.’

Albert then gave him an edited version of what had happened, but mentioned no names. By the time he’d finished talking, Tommy’s head was bowed, and when he glanced up, there was a suspicion of tears in his eyes. ‘Do you love her?’

‘I couldn’t love her more if she were my natural daughter.’

Tommy studied Albert with a curious gleam in his eyes. Then he smiled and the tears miraculously vanished. ‘You’re a posh gent, mate, so how did you manage to tame her. She did love a good scrap.’

‘She still does.’ Albert’s expression remained serious. ‘I have had to write numerous letters of apology.’

Slapping the table in glee, Tommy roared. ‘You ain’t changed her that much, then?’

‘We’ve never tried. Queenie, or Eleanor as we have always called her, is a unique person, loving, loyal, with strong opinions. We have always encouraged her to think for herself, to express her views without fear, and to be the person she was born to be. I could not have wished for a finer daughter.’

‘You’ve done well by her.’ Tommy held out the packet of cigarettes. ‘Can I keep these?’

Albert nodded. ‘I’m afraid I will not allow her to come here, as much as she wants to see you.’

‘Oh, no!’ Tommy shook his head vigorously. ‘You mustn’t let her come to a place like this. Can I write to her, though?’

‘I’m afraid not. I’m not prepared to give you any further information until I’ve looked in to your case.’ That was crafty of Tommy, but Albert wasn’t fooled. By showing concern for his sister, he had tried to get their address.

Tommy gave a resigned shrug. ‘I’m sorry I had a go at you.’

‘You would do well to hold that temper in check.’

‘I know.’ Tommy grimaced. ‘It keeps getting me into trouble. I always did explode easily.’

Standing up, Albert paused for a moment. ‘Will you tell me who the other men were? I promise they will never know the information came from you. I do have connections, but I’m making no promises that I can help you.’

Tommy glanced anxiously at the two guards, and then whispered two names, adding where they lived.

‘I’ll do what I can for you.’ Albert wrote down the names on a piece of paper from his pocket.

Tommy hauled himself out of the chair. ‘Tell Queenie that I’m relieved to know she’s all right.’

‘Of course. Do you happen to know where Bert and Harry might be?’

‘Bert always said he was going to America, but we all thought it was daft. He was a dreamer, but I hope he made
it.’ Tommy sighed. ‘Harry just seemed to disappear off the face of the earth. He walked out the door and we never saw him again.’ Tommy hesitated at the door. ‘I really am pleased to know about my little sister.’

Albert watched the door as it closed, hearing the clunk of the locks, then turned, eager to get out of the depressing place. That boy was a fool. He had thrown away ten years of his life. He’d had very little chance in life, by the look of him, but he would have even less now. He would always be labelled a criminal.

Hailing a cab, Albert gave the address of a friend who was a lawyer. He knew he was wasting his time, but he had promised to try. He was not completely convinced that the boy was beyond reform. Or was it just that he didn’t want to admit that one of his beloved daughter’s brothers was a hardened criminal?

Resting his head against the back of the seat, Albert thought over the meeting, allowing the sway of the cab and clip-clop of the horse’s hooves to relax him. He must let Mr Steadman know that Tommy mentioned Bert’s dream of going to America. It was a hopeful lead, but there would be little chance of finding him in America. It was a big country.

When Eleanor had declared that she wanted to see all of her brothers and sisters, he had never expected his reaction to meeting them. Because they were related to Eleanor, he felt that they were his responsibility, that he owed them something; the same chance in life he and Mary had given that little girl. He swore under his breath. Henry was right, this was crazy, but he couldn’t turn back now unless Eleanor decided to stop, and he knew she was never going
to do that. Thank God there were only two more, and the chances of tracing them were extremely slim.

The cab stopped outside a fashionable house in Bloomsbury. Albert paid off the driver, and knocked at the door, hoping Joshua Hargreaves was at home. He was lucky, and was quickly shown into the library. As usual, a mountain of papers surrounded his friend.

‘Why don’t you leave that all at the office?’ Albert asked, amused.

Josh held out his hand. ‘There isn’t enough room. The place is full to the ceiling. Good to see you, Albert. What brings you here?’

‘I’ve been visiting a Tommy Bonner in Pentonville prison, and was wondering if you know anything about the case. Robbery with violence.’

‘Bonner …? The name’s familiar.’ Josh began to sort through files on his desk, and when that proved fruitless, he started on the heap on the floor. ‘What’s your interest, Albert?’

‘When we adopted Eleanor her name was Bonner, and he’s one of her brothers.’

Josh’s face appeared from under the desk. ‘Ah, you’ve told her then.’

‘Yes, and she wants to trace all her siblings. There were nine, but two are dead. We’ve found five so far, and that includes Tommy.’

‘He must have come as a nasty shock.’ Josh heaved himself upright and began on more papers piled high on a chair. ‘What are the others like?’

‘Decent and hardworking.’

‘How did your beautiful girl take the news?’

‘She was very upset at first, but she has accepted it. Any hope I had that she would leave things there were soon dashed.’ Albert lifted his hands in a resigned gesture. ‘But you know Eleanor.’

‘Indeed I do.’ Josh chuckled. ‘A most determined young lady. Pity she wasn’t a boy, for she would have made a fine lawyer. Ah –’ he held up a file in triumph – ‘I thought I knew the name, but I didn’t handle the case myself.’

Albert waited while his friend read through the notes, shaking his head from time to time, and muttering under his breath. Then he tossed the file on his desk and sat down, pursing his lips. ‘One of our young lawyers took on the defence, but there was little he could do with the evidence against Bonner, even though he was denying he carried out the attack.’ He turned a couple of pages. ‘He had a fair trial, Albert.’

‘He’s still saying that he’s innocent of the assault.’

‘They all say that, but the evidence against him was overwhelming.’

‘Tommy told me that there were two other men with him, and they attacked the man while he was trying to open the safe. They fled, leaving Tommy to take the rap.’

‘And you believe him?’

‘I don’t know what to believe, but he did give me two names.’

‘Let me see them.’ Josh held out his hand.

‘Bonner doesn’t want it known that he has given these men away.’

‘Obviously.’ Josh wiggled his fingers. ‘I’ll be discreet.’

Albert handed over the paper, knowing he could trust Josh not to do anything stupid and get Bonner into even more trouble.

Josh grunted. ‘You can safely leave this with me. You have my word that I won’t do anything to harm Bonner, or upset Eleanor.’

Albert relaxed, relieved that he’d kept his word and it was now out of his hands. ‘We’re holding a celebration on Saturday week in honour of Eleanor’s eighteenth birthday. We hope you will be able to join us?’

‘Wouldn’t miss it for anything. Stay for lunch, Albert?’

He readily agreed, looking forward to a relaxing couple of hours with his friend.