Page 17 of A Shop Girl’s Christmas (Pennington’s Department Store #3)

Cornelia had just put her hand on the gate to Lawrence’s house when his front door swung open. Helen emerged wrapped in a coat and scarf, her hat pulled so firmly onto her head, the brim almost touched her eyebrows.

‘Good evening, Helen.’ Cornelia closed the gate. ‘Are you finished for the day?’

‘Oh, no. I’ll be straight back once I’ve picked up this prescription. Poor Mr Culford is beside himself, but I insisted he stay with Mrs Culford.’ Helen’s eyes were wide and her lips trembled as though she tried to stop herself from crying.

Concerned, Cornelia glanced towards the house. ‘How is she?’

‘Not very good at all, Miss. Her colour is awful, but the doctor is pleased that her second bleeding seems to be slowing. The biggest challenge for poor Mr Culford is keeping Mrs Culford resting. She’s not one for sitting still, as you know.’

‘Indeed, I do.’ She squeezed Helen’s arm. ‘Which is precisely why we’ll do all we can to prove to her that the world is still turning and nothing will go wrong at home, in Mrs Culford’s work at the store or with the children. Agreed?’

Helen smiled and her tense shoulders slightly relaxed. ‘Agreed.’

‘Good, now off you go. I’ll see you in a while.’

Cornelia stepped back to let Helen pass and then quickly entered the house. Discarding her coat and hat, she hung them on the stand by the door before peeling off her gloves.

The only sounds were the murmurs of male voices on the top landing. Where were her sons, niece and nephew?

She strained her ears towards the kitchen, relieved to hear Mrs Jackson’s voice occasionally interrupted by one of the children’s. Charles’ absence was significant when he was so very rarely away from the hallway or nearby vicinity. Cornelia quickly mounted the stairs and hurried towards her brother’s and Esther’s bedroom.

She slowed to a stop when she reached the top floor.

Lawrence spoke quietly on the landing with an older gentleman with salt-and-pepper hair and a neatly trimmed beard.

She had not seen Lawrence wearing such a terrified, ravaged expression for years and her heart broke for the anguish he must be suffering. Esther and the children were his entire life.

‘Lawrence?’ She gently touched his arm. ‘What can I do?’

Her brother met her eyes. ‘It looks as though Esther and the baby will be all right. Given time. This is Doctor Rubinstein.’

Cornelia nodded. ‘Hello.’

The doctor offered a small smile, his gaze solemn. ‘Good evening.’

‘This is my sister, Cornelia, Doctor.’

‘Nice to meet you.’ Doctor Rubinstein glanced towards Lawrence’s slightly ajar bedroom door. ‘Mrs Culford is sleeping now. I’ve given her a draught that should keep her sedated and peaceful until morning. Your maid has gone to get a small supply of sedative should it be needed tomorrow.’ He looked at Lawrence. ‘There is no need for panic or overt concern, Mr Culford, but it’s important your wife takes complete bed rest for at least another week. As for her returning to work before the baby is born that, unfortunately, is no longer an option. You must see to it that Pennington’s are informed first thing in the morning. To carry on as she has will almost certainly mean tragedy, if not for Mrs Culford, then the baby. Do you understand?’

‘I do.’

Lawrence’s jaw was so tight, Cornelia couldn’t help but think she could bounce a penny from it. He looked at her and the anguish in his eyes cut to her core.

She tightly gripped his arm and faced the doctor. ‘Miss Pennington and Mrs Culford are very good friends. I’m sure Miss Pennington will ensure her immediate departure, regardless of what Mrs Culford might try to insist.’ She looked at Lawrence and softly smiled. ‘I assume Esther has argued she’s quite all right to continue working?’

Lawrence nodded, seemingly unable or not trusting himself to speak.

‘Very good.’ The doctor nodded at each of them. ‘Then I will bid you good afternoon and I’ll come by again the day after tomorrow to see how Mrs Culford is progressing.’

Cornelia released Lawrence’s tense arm. ‘I’ll see you out, Doctor.’

‘No, no. You stay with Mr Culford. He needs a stiff drink, I think.’

The doctor lifted his hand in a farewell and headed downstairs, carrying his hat and black bag.

Cornelia slid her hand into Lawrence’s elbow and pulled him close. ‘She’ll be all right. You must believe that.’

‘I know.’ He pushed some fallen hair back from his face, his hand trembling. ‘But I must do something about the man who caused this.’

‘There is nothing you can do. He’s out there somewhere amid thousands of people. Just concentrate on what you can do. Take care of Esther.’

‘She was asking for you earlier. I think she might want to speak with you about Elizabeth.’

‘Cornelia?’ Esther’s weak call filtered through the open door. ‘Is that you?’

Cornelia squeezed Lawrence’s arm and hurried into the bedroom. ‘It’s me, my darling. How are you feeling?’

She walked to the bed and sat on the edge. Esther’s skin was pale, her eyes deeply shadowed above grey circles and her lips almost white.

Esther weakly smiled and moved her hand across the bedspread to Lawrence’s as he sat on the other side. ‘I’m sorry for frightening you, my love.’

‘None of this is your fault.’ He raised her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles, his eyes tightly closed. ‘But no more work, Esther.’ He opened his eyes. ‘Please.’

‘I know. The doctor…’ She swallowed. ‘He’s made it clear that I need to rest and then slow down. I will send a message to Elizabeth in the morning and ask that she comes by with Amelia. There is much to be done, but I know Amelia is more than capable. I won’t risk myself or our baby, Lawrence. I love my life now too much to squander it.’

‘Good.’ He pressed another kiss to her knuckles. ‘I couldn’t bear it if anything—’

‘None of that.’ Esther smiled. ‘Now, how about you ask Mrs Jackson to prepare some tea and you leave Cornelia and me to talk? There are some things she can help me with, too, if I am to be housebound.’

He left the room and Cornelia inched a little closer to her sister-in-law.

Tears immediately sprang into Esther’s eyes as she shook her head. ‘I’m scared, Cornelia. Really, really scared.’

‘Oh, my love.’ Cornelia leaned forward and gently embraced her. ‘Everything will be just fine as long as you do as the doctor says. Babies are stronger than we think. You’ll see.’

‘I know, but I’m still so worried about Elizabeth. Now we know I won’t be returning to Pennington’s, I have no choice but to burden you, I’m afraid.’

‘Nothing is a burden if it means you will look after yourself and the baby.’

‘Elizabeth and Joseph are struggling with a personal issue. One I fear will never be resolved unless someone from the authorities is willing to help them. I now believe Mr Gower came to Pennington’s for just that reason.’ She gripped Cornelia’s hand. ‘And I know you are more than capable of supporting Elizabeth and Joseph in my absence.’

‘What are they struggling with?’ Cornelia frowned. ‘And how does Mr Gower fit into it?’

Esther sighed. ‘Elizabeth visited this morning, before my scare and told me that she and Joseph have spoken to Mr Gower and he has agreed to make some preliminary enquiries.’

‘Into what, exactly?’

‘The murder of Joseph’s first wife, Lillian.’

‘Murder? My God.’

‘Exactly. It happened several years ago, but her killer remains undetected. A recent murder took place under very similar circumstances and now Joseph is convinced the killer of Lillian and the new killing were carried out by the same person.’

Cornelia stared into Esther’s frightened eyes. ‘This is awful. I had no idea. Poor Mr Carter.’

‘He has struggled with his loss for years, but the murder of a second woman has deepened his anger and determination to see justice done.’

Disbelief wound through Cornelia as she tried to imagine what it must be like for her employers to live with such a thing. Stephen had to help them, if he could. Surely, he would not turn his back on them?

Of course, if he did agree to give his aid with regards to an unsolved murder, there was every chance he’d find helping Cornelia with a domestic court case laughable.

And she could hardly blame him.

She closed her eyes, ashamed for thinking such selfish things after learning of Mr Carter’s suffering.

‘So,’ Esther continued, ‘You must do all you can to support Elizabeth and Joseph through this terrible time. I can’t be at the store and Elizabeth will only be able to come and visit me when she can. Are you becoming friendlier with Mr Gower?’

‘I wouldn’t exactly say friendly.’ Cornelia grimaced as she thought of the way he’d left her sitting alone in Pennington’s staff quarters. ‘But that doesn’t mean I won’t keep trying.’

A little light came into Esther’s eyes. ‘That’s just what I need to hear. I want you to do all you can to ensure he helps Elizabeth and Joseph. This is important to me, Cornelia. You have no idea how much Elizabeth and Joseph have done for me by giving me a start at Pennington’s and their friendship since. They won’t get through this alone.’

Cornelia firmly squeezed Esther’s hand. ‘I will befriend Mr Gower, don’t worry. And I’ll do everything in my power to help with his investigations and support Elizabeth.’

‘It may be that Mr Gower is their only hope. The police are doing nothing to help and—’

‘I’ll be there for them. Do not distress yourself. If Lawrence were to see you this way…’

‘I know and that’s why I can only entrust this to you. He cares for me and the children more than anything. If he thought Elizabeth was taking over my thoughts, I worry he’d come to resent her.’

‘He won’t. I’ll ensure it. I will speak to Mr Gower about the court hearing and press him to help Miss Pennington, too. He appears so serious, maybe even a little detached at the store, but whenever I’ve spoken to him, I’ve sensed a deep compassion there. I have offered the hand of friendship and I hope, if I tread carefully, he will come to welcome it.’

‘But it’s only three days to the hearing. How will you convince him to help you?’

‘I must, for Alfred and Francis. Nothing and no one will stand in my way and leave it open for David to take them away from me.’

‘Good.’ Esther collapsed back against her pillows and closed her eyes. ‘Now, you are in charge, I can rest.’