Page 22 of A Shop Girl’s Christmas (Pennington’s Department Store #3)

The anger in Stephen’s eyes and the passion in his words continued to nag at Cornelia an hour after she’d left the tea shop. She tightened her fingers around her purse and stared around the outer office of Bloom & Hartford Associates. Her lawyer, Mr Hartford, had agreed to see her without an appointment if she was willing to wait for him to finish with the client currently in his office.

With Stephen’s advice at the forefront of her mind and her courage strengthened by being brave enough to confess her treatment at David’s hands, she had walked straight to her lawyer’s office, afraid her renewed courage might ebb away if she didn’t speak to her lawyer immediately.

She also feared her bravery might evaporate if she couldn’t make Stephen understand how important it was that she felt useful, that by acting as an intermediary between him and Elizabeth, she was doing something to avenge the unlawful killing of a good and innocent woman. As selfish as it might seem, she needed something new to focus on.

Since leaving the tea shop, she’d repeatedly wondered why Stephen had left Scotland Yard to work at Pennington’s. He’d been so assured in his advice about the divorce hearing that his reasons must surely be personal, rather than professional, problems that had led to his resignation. If he’d resigned, of course. There had to be something more to it. Something he held close. And something he most definitely wouldn’t share with her. At least, not yet.

The door to the inner office opened and Cornelia sat up, nerves taking flight in her stomach.

Mr Hartford was rotund and red-cheeked, in his early-sixties, with a shock of snow-white hair and matching whiskers. He invited a tall, well-dressed gentleman to walk out of the office ahead of him, his hand outstretched. ‘I will see you again soon, Mr Battersby. Try not to over-fret. The situation is all in hand.’

‘Thank you, sir.’

Mr Hartford smiled. ‘Won’t you come through, Mrs Parker? Would you like tea? Coffee?’

Bitterness coated Cornelia’s throat at his use of her married name, but she forced a smile and rose. ‘No, thank you.’

‘Then come right this way.’ He paused beside his secretary, a pretty young woman with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. ‘Would you mind bringing me a cup of coffee when you have a moment, Miss Anderson?’

‘Of course, sir.’

Once in his office, Cornelia sat across from his desk and laid her purse on the floor, crossing her legs at the ankle. She inhaled a long breath before meeting Mr Hartford’s soft and steady gaze.

‘So, how can I help?’ he asked. ‘From your tone on the telephone, I gather it’s most urgent.’

‘It is. I have something of importance to share with you before the hearing on Friday. Something I think might tip the judge’s decision in our favour.’

‘Oh?’ Mr Hartford leaned back and laced his fingers across the considerable bulge beneath his waistcoat. ‘And what would this something be, exactly?’

Shame and embarrassment threatened, but Cornelia straightened her spine against any weakness. ‘I didn’t tell you everything about David’s treatment towards me before because I’d clung to the hope I wouldn’t have to make such a thing public. However, now he’s filing for custody of our children, he’s left me no choice.’

Mr Hartford sat forward and frowned. ‘Go on.’

She swallowed. ‘He hit me over a period of several months, Mr Hartford. Not enough to bruise me, but enough to dampen my spirit and strength. Pushing, shoving, the occasional slap. Nothing that would be visible, because he wouldn’t have wanted anyone to know.’ She took a breath. ‘However, he has underestimated the love I bear for my children and I’m prepared to fight him with everything I have. Why should a wife who is assaulted have to wait until the beating becomes life-threatening before she can file for divorce? I was forced to leave our home because of David’s affair and continuing lies. I’d hoped that, alone, would grant me a divorce. However, I’m now afraid of losing my children.’

The door opened behind her, and Cornelia turned to see Miss Anderson walking into the room, her footsteps muted by the thick, green carpet.

Cornelia’s cheeks heated at the thought of what the woman might have heard, and she silently admonished herself. It was too late for such nonsensical egotism. The court hearing was in two days and then many more people would know, including Lawrence.

‘Thank you, Miss Anderson.’

As soon as the door closed, Mr Hartford gave a firm nod, his eyes slightly glazed in concentration.

‘Well, you were right to give me this information, Mrs Parker. I have no doubt it will prove vital during the hearing. However, I have concerns.’

‘Which are?’

‘I need an assurance that you are strong enough to fight whatever your husband might chose to accuse you of. He may well already have forewarned his own lawyers about these potential allegations. If he has, there is every possibility they would have concocted a plausible defence. Are you prepared for cross-examination, Mrs Parker?’

The memory of Stephen’s determination and passion in the tea shop surged into Cornelia’s mind, strengthening her resolve. ‘I’m prepared for that and anything else David might claim or counter-claim. I want my divorce, Mr Hartford, and I want my children.’

He studied her, and she forced herself to remain still under his scrutiny. Her life and those of her children hung in the balance. One wrong move on her part and David would take everything she loved in one fell swoop.

She lifted her chin. ‘So, does this new information reinforce my case or weaken it?’

A smile played on Mr Hartford’s lips as satisfaction lit his canny, grey eyes. ‘I do believe it reinforces everything.’

She exhaled a relieved breath. ‘Excellent.’ Her shoulders relaxed, and she stood. ‘Then I will be on my way. I’ve already imposed on your time. Thank you so much.’

‘Not at all.’ He stood and offered his hand across the desk. ‘I will see you at the courthouse on Friday, Mrs Parker. Eleven-thirty sharp.’

‘Indeed, you will. Goodbye for now.’

Holding her head high, Cornelia walked through the outer office, down a flight of stairs and onto the street. Power washed through her. Her time was now, and she would lead her life as she saw fit. Alfred and Francis were her babies. Her entire reason for living. And, all too soon, David would feel her wrath that he, alone, had provoked.

Cornelia passed the stalls, flower-sellers and a young boy sweeping the streets. She sidestepped the rubbish and manure that littered the cobbled roads, her mind and heart happier now she was set on a new and exciting direction.

She arrived at Lawrence’s house and entered the hallway. Meeting her gaze in the mirror, she removed her hat, pleased to see her eyes shining with renewed happiness. All would be well.

Cornelia climbed the stairs, determined to tell her brother and Esther about her discussions with Stephen that afternoon. Or, at least, the discussions about Joseph and Elizabeth. She wouldn’t tell Lawrence about David’s abuse, lest her brother erupt with rage prior to the hearing. If he learned of it in court, at the same time as everyone else, then he’d be prevented from acting on impulse. It would be better that way. Much better.

She gently knocked on their bedroom door.

‘Come in.’

Cornelia plastered on a wide smile and entered the room, relieved to find Esther in bed, as she was supposed to be.

‘Good afternoon, you two.’ She came to a stop at the side of the bed and carefully studied Esther’s tired eyes. ‘How are you feeling?’

‘A little better.’ Determination showed her sister-in-law’s gaze. ‘I am quite sure if I rest for another day and night, I’ll be perfectly all right to attend the hearing.’

‘You need to stop worrying about that and concentrate on you and the baby,’ Cornelia admonished. ‘That’s the most important thing right now.’

‘Well, that and the fact I can’t stop worrying about Elizabeth and Joseph.’

Cornelia glanced uneasily at Lawrence.

‘Don’t look so surprised, Cornelia. I know Esther well enough to suspect something was bothering her in addition to the baby.’ He looked fondly at his wife. ‘There are no secrets between us. She’s told me about Joseph’s first wife and the state the man is in at the moment. A perfectly understandable state, in my opinion.’

Relieved that she would not have to keep another revelation from Lawrence, Cornelia exhaled. ‘Well, I’m glad you know. Three heads have to be better than two. So, I have some news.’

Esther and Lawrence looked at her expectantly.

Cornelia took a deep breath. ‘I took tea this afternoon with Mr Gower and we had a marvellous time…’ she coughed lightly. ‘For the most part.’

Esther frowned. ‘Meaning?’

‘Meaning, he became rather upset when I asked if I could help if he takes up Mr Carter’s case.’

Lawrence frowned. ‘Esther’s told me she’s asked you to do what you can for the Carters, but are you sure you want get involved?’

‘Absolutely.’ She held his gaze, determined he would not sway her. ‘If I can help, I will.’

He studied her before raising his hands in surrender. ‘As you wish. You are your own woman now.’

‘I am.’ Cornelia looked at Esther. ‘I haven’t given up persuading Mr Gower to accept my help.’

Disappointment clouded Esther’s eyes. ‘I suspected he wouldn’t be happy about your involvement. It might have been better for me to share the conversation I’ve had with Elizabeth first.’

‘You’ve spoken to her about my helping?’

‘Yes. She was reluctant too, at first, but, after I convinced her it was not a sign of weakness to accept help, she seemed encouraged by the prospect of your support.’

Cornelia smiled. ‘I’m glad and, despite Mr Gower’s irritation, I’m convinced I did the right thing speaking to him.’

‘Why would you think that, if the man became annoyed?’ Lawrence frowned. ‘How on earth could that be good?’

‘Because Mr Carter and Elizabeth have no idea Mr Gower has already taken it upon himself to investigate further. They think he is still considering what they have told him. However, it was quite clear from what he said that he’s already gone much further than he’s admitted. Give me a little time and I’m sure he’ll allow me to act as a go-between with Elizabeth. He’s adamant he doesn’t want Mr Carter’s hopes raised prematurely, and I can help to ensure that doesn’t happen. He is most certainly the right man to help them. I have no doubt he would’ve been remarkable in his role at Scotland Yard.’ She frowned. ‘I still haven’t discovered why he came to leave, but I will. In time.’

Esther smiled, her gaze happier than it had been for days. ‘I think, between us, everything will work out for the best. Elizabeth and Joseph deserve peace and happiness. We will do everything in our power to ensure that happens.’

Cornelia nodded, the passion she felt about her own troubles merging with a determination that Elizabeth, too, would be triumphant and able to make plans for the future without the past holding her hostage.