Page 47 of A Shop Girl’s Christmas (Pennington’s Department Store #3)

Cornelia looked up from the jewellery counter at the hundreds of customers milling around Pennington’s ground floor on New Year’s Eve. The time she’d spent at Culford Manor, had given her the space she’d needed to ponder over her future.

Yet, she was no closer to deciding whether to remain in Bath or return to Culford.

How was she to be sure of what was best for Alfred and Francis?

Guilt whispered through her. Their smiles hadn’t been quite as happy since returning home to The Circus, their eyes not shining with as much joy. But, once all the excitement and sparkle of Christmas had faded, would they really like living with Harriet? Surely, it was the space and fresh air that had brought colour to the boys’ cheeks rather than their aunt?

They had enjoyed being able to run free and play outside without the dangers of passing trams, horses and motor cars. The privilege of having a bedroom each rather than sharing. The excitement of the horses in the stables and the gardens that needed constant tending. Her boys had devoured every aspect of country life. Absorbed every facet of a life they could quite possibly have been destined for, if their parents’ marriage hadn’t failed.

The right thing to do… the only thing to do was go to Culford, where they were happiest, but that didn’t stop Cornelia’s heart from sinking at the thought of leaving Bath and Pennington’s.

Of never seeing Stephen again.

Lawrence had finally approved Harriet’s plan to travel aboard the Titanic and their sister had been ecstatic, entirely convinced she would meet the love of her life during her trip. As for Cornelia? Her gaze followed Stephen’s progress through the crowds. His hands were clasped behind his back and his brow furrowed.

He could never be hers.

She’d been a fool ever to imagine he would.

David had abandoned his children for wealth and status, wrapped up in the excuse of falling in love. If she were to act on her selfish love for Stephen, her children would think that adult love went hand-in-hand with abandonment.

She could not allow them to believe such a thing. It was part of her role as their mother to teach them the importance of commitment, tenacity and strength, whether that be to a relationship or a position.

If they were given the opportunity to learn about the workings of an estate, of the lives and hardships of Culford’s tenants and staff, it would provide more insight into real life, compassion and understanding than they would ever learn living amongst the wealthy in Bath.

At Culford, she could expose her boys to those less fortunate without exposing them to the poor and needy in the city’s much more perilous slum areas.

Culford was definitely calling her home.

‘Might you be able to help me?’

Cornelia started. A woman was standing in front of her. ‘Oh, I do apologise. How can I help you?’

‘May I take a look at that tray of brooches, please?’

‘Of course.’

‘These just came into the store this week.’ Cornelia smiled at the customer as she picked up a diamond-encrusted brooch. ‘As a New Year incentive, we are offering a ten per cent discount on any purchases made today. Do you see a piece in particular you like?’

The young woman smiled sheepishly. ‘I do. In fact, I wish I could have them all. Dear Papa gave me some money for Christmas and told me to buy myself something pretty.’

Cornelia nodded. ‘Well, in that case, looking at the lovely green of your eyes, maybe this beautiful emerald and diamond floral bouquet? As you can see, the cut and design are exquisite. A piece of jewellery that will last forever. It would be a wonderful heirloom to pass on to a daughter.’

The woman laughed and pressed her hand to her chest. ‘A daughter? My husband and I are trying for a family.’

‘How wonderful.’ Cornelia looked up to find Stephen watching her. A jolt of attraction shot through her and she quickly faced her customer. ‘Then who’s to say you won’t have a beautiful baby girl in these coming months? This is truly a most lovely piece.’

‘I’ll take it.’ The woman beamed and unclasped her purse. ‘Wrap it quickly before I change my mind.’

‘Of course, madam.’ Cornelia lifted the brooch and carefully laid it on a piece of black velvet, before returning the tray to its drawer and locking it. ‘I’ll be right back.’

She picked up the brooch and walked to a counter which contained Pennington’s signature black and white boxes and black tissue paper. Trying her hardest not to sneak another look in Stephen’s direction, Cornelia was preparing to wrap the brooch when a shadow fell over her.

‘Good afternoon, sister.’

Cornelia looked up and almost dropped the brooch. ‘Esther! Whatever are you doing here? Is Lawrence with you?’

Esther’s eyebrows lifted as merriment sparkled in her hazel eyes. ‘Do you think that brother of yours is ever likely to let me go anywhere alone these days? He’s upstairs in the toy department with the children. I insisted on a visit to Pennington’s before all the happiness I felt at Christmas dissolves.’

‘It was wonderful at Culford, I must admit.’ Cornelia turned back to wrapping the brooch, carefully placing it in a velvet-lined box before pulling a sheet of tissue paper towards her. ‘I couldn’t have made a better decision. The boys had a wonderful time.’

‘As did you.’

The playful tone in Esther’s voice surprised Cornelia. ‘What do you mean?’

‘I mean…’ Esther widened her eyes and tilted her head. ‘The romantic possibility between you and Mr Gower was obvious.’

Cornelia dropped her gaze to the wrapping, drawing some ribbon from the reel beside her. ‘We… Stephen and I are—’

‘Nothing short of adorable. He’s all moody and strong and in control and you’re all of a fluster, confused and totally besotted.’

Cornelia knotted the ribbon with a sharp tug. ‘I am none of those things. In fact… just wait right there. I’ll be straight back.’

Pasting on a smile, Cornelia returned to her customer.

‘There you go, madam.’ She turned to one of her young colleagues. ‘Martha? Would you mind escorting this lady and her beautiful brooch to the cash desk?’

‘Of course, Miss Culford.’

Cornelia waited until the customer and Martha were swallowed by the throng before returning to Esther.

Her sister-in-law said, ‘Well?’

Taking a long breath, Cornelia sighed. ‘I’ve decided it would be best if the boys and me went back to Culford and live our lives as was planned all along.’

‘All along? Cornelia…’ Esther touched Cornelia’s hand where it lay rigid on top of the counter. ‘All along vanished when David abandoned you and the children for that woman.’ Esther’s eyes burned with passion, her jaw tight. ‘You have to go forward with what you want now. Of course, the boys are your main priority, but not once have I heard you say you might want to live at Culford. If that’s truly what you want, then, of course, you must go, but I fear…’ She lowered her voice. ‘You could be running away from a man who could make you exceedingly happy. If it’s the investigation making you—’

‘It’s not.’ Cornelia took her hand away. ‘Stephen and I might have come to feel something for one another, but I belong at Culford. I belong where my children are happiest. Wouldn’t you go wherever Rose and Nathaniel were happy? Where your new baby will be happy?’

Esther’s eyes filled with sadness. ‘Yes. Yes, I would.’

‘There you are, then.’ Cornelia swallowed, more than a little disappointed Esther hadn’t said Cornelia’s logic was wrong. ‘I’ll be handing in my notice at the end of the week and then the boys and I will leave Bath. Now, I must get on before Mrs Hampton starts breathing down my neck.’

She walked along the counter and approached a waiting customer. ‘Good afternoon, madam. How may I help?’

As the customer continued to browse the glass cabinets, Cornelia cast a furtive glance in Esther’s direction, but she was nowhere to be seen. Releasing her held breath, Cornelia swallowed. No doubt Lawrence would be dismayed as Esther about Cornelia’s decision to leave Bath, but if she was to remain, it would be for selfish reasons only.

Two very important, but very selfish reasons – Stephen and Pennington’s.

The reasons for her to leave mattered so much more – Alfred and Francis. Always.

Her brother and Esther would come to understand that… as she hoped Stephen would, too.