Page 53 of A Shop Girl’s Christmas (Pennington’s Department Store #3)

At The Cavendish Club two weeks later, Cornelia looked around the table, where she sat with Elizabeth, Joseph and the staff from Pennington’s jewellery department. The Carters had been generous in offering to send her off in such style.

She breathed deeply and picked up her glass of champagne. ‘This place is marvellous.’

Elizabeth smiled. ‘I’m glad you think so. Esther and I have had some truly fabulous times here over the past couple of years. The Cavendish was once viewed as indecent, the music too loud and the clientele too free and easy. Not so much any more.’

Joseph took a sip of his drink. ‘That’s not to say Elizabeth and Esther always behaved decorously, I’m sure.’

‘Hey.’ Elizabeth laughed and nudged him playfully. ‘I’m the mistress of Pennington’s. I’m decorum personified.’

Cornelia joined in with their laughter, pleased how Joseph’s mood had slowly begun to lighten over the last few days, his eyes once more focused on Elizabeth or the store. The love between her employers seemed to be returning to how it had been before the murder that had reawakened, deepened, Joseph’s anguish about Lillian.

Her thoughts momentarily distracted from Stephen, for possibly the first time in two weeks. She looked towards the four-piece band playing on the stage, at couples and trios of women enjoying the music, looking at liberty and problem-free. Would she ever be as happy?

She would return to Culford the day after tomorrow. Their bags were packed, the largest of her belongings already on their way to Oxfordshire by coach. All that was left to do was say goodbye to her Pennington’s colleagues this evening, pack up any last things at Lawrence’s house and she would be away from Bath and onto a new chapter in her life with Alfred and Francis, who were so much brighter and happier since she’d confirmed they would be returning to the manor house.

Maybe, in time, she’d feel differently about her childhood home, too.

‘Why the glum face, Cornelia?’

Elizabeth’s voice broke through her thoughts and Cornelia said, ‘I’m not glum. A little pensive, maybe, but definitely not glum.’

Joseph stood. ‘How about another bottle of champagne?’

Cheers of approval sounded around the table.

Cornelia smiled. ‘Joseph really is the most extraordinary man. You must love him very much.’

‘Oh, I do.’ Elizabeth said. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever been as happy as I am right now. With that monster Wilson being charged with Lillian’s murder and that of the other poor women, Joseph has changed. The fire he had when he first came into the store has returned. The biggest thing I’ve learned about my husband over the past year is without a focus he isn’t happy.’

‘And what is his new focus?’

Elizabeth eyes lit up with mischievous joy. ‘Me.’

Cornelia laughed. ‘You? Haven’t you always been his focus? He rarely takes his eyes off you.’

‘Maybe, but now when he looks at me, it’s for a particular reason. A reason with a goal.’

Cornelia grinned as comprehension struck. ‘He’s agreed to try for a baby?’

Elizabeth nodded.

‘Oh, Elizabeth. That’s wonderful news.’ Cornelia put her glass on the table and pulled Elizabeth into an embrace. ‘I am so happy for you both.’

‘And what about you?’ Elizabeth eased out of Cornelia’s arms. ‘Will you be happy, away from Pennington’s? Away from Lawrence and Esther? She’s so concerned about the reasons you’re returning to Oxfordshire.’

‘I know, but everything will work out how it’s supposed to. The children…’ She briefly closed her eyes. Her decision to leave always seemed to sound so centred around Alfred and Francis… which, of course, it was. ‘This is what they want. What they need.’ She sighed. ‘I just hope I can give them everything they expect of me. The divorce hasn’t been easy for them and David has no sympathy whatsoever. Neither Alfred nor Francis has particularly enjoyed school here, either. I’m hoping that will change in Oxfordshire.’

‘Of course, you can be all they need. I’ve seen you with your children.’ Elizabeth squeezed Cornelia’s hand. ‘You are a wonderful mother and they love you.’

Cornelia looked towards the bar, where Joseph laughed with the barman. ‘I just keep holding onto this idyllic picture of family life that I’m no longer sure exists.’ She looked at Elizabeth. ‘My childhood was far from perfect. My marriage, too. Maybe that’s why I’ve been looking for something, anything…’ Stephen came into her mind and her eyes burned with tears. ‘Maybe even someone to make my life and the children’s lives how I think they ought to be.’ She shook her head. ‘Such a notion is childish. Fantastical. Life is hard. Nothing worth fighting for is ever gained easily. I know all this, but still…’

‘That doesn’t mean the life you want is unattainable. You only have to look at Esther and me to know how hard the fight can be. How forcefully women have to sometimes defy convention and write their own rules.’ Elizabeth frowned. ‘You can be happy, Cornelia. Trust me. You may have to raise your children alone for a while, but who knows what, or who , is around the corner? My goodness, Joseph just walked straight into the store and into my life before I could blink. Now look at us. You have to have trust and believe in yourself, before anyone else can come into your life. Although, I wonder if that has not already happened.’

Cornelia frowned. ‘What do you mean?’

‘I mean, I think you’re half in love with Mr, Gower.’ Elizabeth smiled. ‘Am I right?’

Heat immediately leapt into Cornelia’s cheeks and she reached for her champagne. ‘Maybe, but that’s neither here nor there.’

‘How can you be so nonchalant? Don’t you want to pursue whatever it is between you?’

Cornelia sighed. ‘We’ve agreed to stay in touch. Maybe something could happen one day but, for now, Stephen’s life is in London and mine is in Oxfordshire.’

‘But who knows in the future? Then you must embrace all the blessings you have right now. Those beautiful boys of yours. The love Lawrence, Esther and I have for you. A wonderful house on a beautiful estate. Start from there.’

Cornelia looked into Elizabeth’s eyes. The determination and confidence she saw in her gaze moved something inside her. Elizabeth was right. She had to find her own path. Not look to Lawrence, Stephen, or anyone else to show her the way, or have them to lean on. Loving a man who lived amid danger, murder and destruction was not only madness but entirely the opposite of what she wanted for Alfred and Francis.

Cornelia raised her glass. ‘To women and all we can do. Alone.’

Elizabeth grinned and clinked her glass to Cornelia’s. ‘To women.’