Page 6 of A Shop Girl’s Christmas (Pennington’s Department Store #3)

Cornelia emerged from Pennington’s staff exit onto the street and immediately ducked for cover under one of the store’s window awnings. The rain fell in huge, fat drops, careening diagonally on a fresh wind. Without an umbrella, she would be soaked to the skin by the time she reached Lawrence’s house. She shivered and pulled her coat belt tighter around her waist.

She’d been on her feet for five hours since lunch and was entirely exhausted. It was just as well she had nothing planned this evening other than eating dinner with her family, bathing the boys and putting them to bed. She didn’t doubt she would tumble into her own bed shortly afterwards.

Looking up at the dark sky, she grimaced. How long was she to wait here? Or should she make as graceful an attempt of hurrying home as she could?

‘Maybe you’d like to share my umbrella, Miss Culford?’

Cornelia started. ‘Mr Gower.’

He smiled, his dark brown gaze amused under the light spilling from Pennington’s window. ‘I don’t think this rain is going to let up any time soon.’

Cornelia hesitated as thoughts of David’s reaction to her going anywhere with another man surfaced. ‘I thank you, Mr Gower, but I’m most likely going in a different direction.’

‘I can’t possibly stand by and let you go anywhere unprotected in this weather.’ He offered her his arm. ‘Let me walk you home. Or were you hoping to catch the tram?’

Cornelia stared into his eyes, looking for any sign that his offer was anything less than gallant, and saw only kindness. ‘I am walking, but… well, if you’re quite sure.’

‘I am.’

Steadfastly burying her reservations, she slowly took his elbow and they started along the street.

‘So,’ Mr Gower cleared his throat. ‘Where is home?’

‘The Circus. I live with my brother, his wife and their children. Well, Rose and Nathaniel are actually Lawrence’s children rather than Esther’s, but…’ What are you doing? Stop babbling . ‘Anyway, yes, I live on The Circus.’

‘Well, that’s not too far at all and I am currently staying with my mother who has a house on Gay Street. We are almost neighbours.’

His friendly tone eased a little of her tension and Cornelia released the breath she hadn’t been aware she’d been holding. ‘Currently staying? You have a house outside of Bath?’

The silence that followed immediately told Cornelia she’d said something, or rather asked something, that Mr Gower had not welcomed.

Her cheeks heated. ‘I’m sorry, I was just making conversation. If you don’t want to—’

‘London.’ He stared ahead, his jaw decidedly tighter. ‘I live in London, for the majority of the time.’

‘Oh, I see.’

They continued along the street, the atmosphere growing increasingly strained with every step. What on earth was she doing walking along a dark street with a strange man? If Lawrence were to look out of the window on their approach, his questions would know no bounds.

‘Can I ask you something, Miss Culford?’

She glanced at him. ‘By all means.’

‘How well do you know Joseph Carter?’

‘Not very well at all. My sister-in-law, Esther Stanbury – she’s the head window dresser at the store – is very good friends with Miss Pennington and Mr Carter, but I barely know them at all. At least, at the moment, I don’t.’

‘But that could change?’

‘Maybe, in time. I’ve only been in Bath a short while. If I stay here longer, I assume I will get to know them socially because Esther and Lawrence regularly dine with them.’

‘Right.’

The quiet contemplation in his tone piqued Cornelia’s curiosity and she glanced at him again. ‘Why do you ask?’

‘No reason.’

Their eyes met and his gaze roamed over her face. When her cheeks warmed a second time, she quickly looked away. ‘There’s always a reason behind every question, don’t you think? You must have wanted to know something about Mr Carter.’

‘Not all questions. After all, what might my reason for asking you to share my umbrella have been, other than a want to keep you dry?’

She detected a teasing in his tone, and she laughed. ‘You really are quite the conundrum, Mr Gower. One minute so very serious, the next you seem to be almost laughing at me.’

‘Not at all.’ He dipped the umbrella as the wind and rain changed direction. ‘I am just trying to find out as much as I can about my new employers. You, on the other hand, I believe I owe an apology.’

Cornelia frowned. ‘For?’

‘Almost breaking your toes on our first meeting.’

‘Oh, that.’ She waved dismissively. ‘It’s forgotten and forgiven.’

‘Good. Clean slate, then.’

‘Absolutely.’

The tension dissipated and Cornelia’s steps turned lighter as they ascended the steep gradient of the cobbled street that led to The Circus. As they drew close to Lawrence’s house, she eased Mr Gower to a stop. ‘I think it for the best that I say goodbye here.’ She glanced along the circular street. ‘I prefer my brother didn’t see us, if you don’t mind. He’s rather protective of me these days and I don’t want what has been a pleasant walk home ending in altercation.’

‘Of course.’ He released her arm. ‘Why don’t you take my umbrella? You can return it to me tomorrow at the store.’

‘Oh, I couldn’t possibly—’

‘I insist.’ He gently pushed the umbrella into her hand, their fingers brushing, before he winked and turned, slowly retracing their steps out of The Circus.

Cornelia watched him until he disappeared out of sight. She had thought Mr Gower quite strange at their first meeting, but now he had caught her attention in the most unexpected way. He seemed mysterious and she had no idea why that should make her any keener to get to know him, but it did.

His height, glossy dark brown hair and eyes made him attractive in an understated way that was mildly appealing. After living with David’s egotistical manner for ten trying years, Stephen Gower seemed – at least, on the surface – a most pleasing breath of fresh air.

As she strolled towards Lawrence’s house, her smile slowly dissolved as, once again, thoughts of the upcoming court hearing loomed in her mind. As much as she might want to instigate some friendships at Pennington’s, her impending divorce continued to hold her captive under the fear of how she would be received by her peers.

She lifted her chin. She had to believe her worries unfounded or she would crumble… and that could not happen. For the sake of her children, if not herself.

Upon reaching the house, Cornelia let herself in and was taking off her wet coat when Charles, Lawrence’s butler, emerged from the direction of the kitchen.

‘Good evening, Miss Cornelia.’ He took her coat and hat. ‘The mistress is in the drawing room if you’d like to join her. Can I bring you some tea?’

‘That would be most welcome. Thank you.’

Cornelia walked upstairs into the drawing room and smiled. Esther lay on the sofa, her hand gently touching her stomach, her eyes glazed in thought. Cornelia’s heart kicked with pleasure. She was so happy for her brother and Esther’s upcoming arrival. Lawrence was already a remarkable father and Esther loved his children, Rose and Nathaniel, like her own. This new baby would be a welcome addition for all of them.

‘Good evening, Esther.’

‘Oh, Cornelia. I was miles away.’ Esther snatched her hand from her stomach and blushed as she moved to swing her legs to the floor. ‘How was your day?’

‘Absolutely fine, and don’t you even think of getting up.’ Cornelia nodded towards Esther’s neat bump. ‘Is my future niece or nephew making their presence known, by any chance?’

Esther laughed and immediately relaxed back against the cushions, her hand returning to her stomach, her pretty hazel eyes shining. ‘Yes, as he or she has for most of the afternoon. Lawrence likes to think we have a cricketeer on the way. Whereas I think he or she might be an overzealous cello player if the sharp direction of his or her elbows are anything to hold measure by.’

‘I remember those days well enough. Alfred was so much quieter when I carried him than Francis. It seems to me, they are unborn as they are in life. So be warned.’ Concerned by the fatigue lines around her sister-in-law’s eyes, Cornelia sat beside Esther and gently lifted her stockinged feet into her lap. ‘Here, let me rub your feet for a moment before the children descend from the nursery for dinner.’

Esther closed her eyes as Cornelia began. ‘Oh, goodness, that is heavenly.’

Cornelia smiled. Esther had been looking more and more strained over the last few days. Even before Cornelia had come to Pennington’s, she’d thought Esther the hardest working woman she’d ever known. Now she believed her to be almost beyond human. Not only did Esther have her work at the store, she was a staunch campaigner for the women’s vote, had co-founded a new Bath branch of suffragists, loved and cared for Lawrence’s children – not to mention satisfying the whims of her rather demanding Aunt Mary.

Would she find Esther’s strength within herself one day? Grab the world with both hands and shake it until her views were heard, too? Would she live with confidence and happiness? Right now, she felt little more than a shadow to Esther’s brightness.

She turned from looking at her hands to find Esther carefully watching her. ‘Is everything all right, Cornelia? You were miles away.’

Cornelia sighed. ‘I was just thinking how much I admire you. You work so hard at Pennington’s, come home and see to the children, spend time with your friends at the Society…’

Esther laughed. ‘Admire me when I manage to deliver this baby safely as you have Alfred and Francis. Or when I’ve helped to secure the women’s vote or learned to cook as well as Mrs Jackson. Those are things to admire, too, you know.’

‘You have no idea how much it means to me that you esteem me in any way. I…’ Cornelia hesitated. ‘Feel such a failure. A failure to my marriage. To the boys. To Lawrence.’

‘You are a failure to no one, and how on earth could you be to Lawrence?’ Esther frowned. ‘Your brother is in complete awe of you. He’s proud you are going through with the divorce. Proud you are trying to make a new start for you and the children. Didn’t he do the same thing when he left home? You are a Culford through and through, Cornelia, and I refuse to listen to another word of self-doubt from you. Now, I have a favour to ask.’

Cornelia relaxed her tense shoulders, encouraged by her sister-in-law’s confidence in her. ‘Anything. You know that.’

‘Lawrence is helping with plans for another demonstration in Laura Place this coming Saturday. It’s truly wonderful how many members of the Men’s League he’s persuaded to attend.’ Esther grimaced. ‘Of course, we can only both be there if you don’t mind looking after the children while we’re gone. I promised Helen the afternoon off to be with her beau and, as much as I love Charles and Mrs Jackson, neither of them has Helen’s patience to tend to four children for the entire afternoon.’

‘Of course, I’ll look after the children,’ Cornelia said, as she continued to massage Esther’s feet. ‘It’s the least I can do.’

‘Only, I don’t want you to feel you have to do anything as a way of thanking us. You are an important part of our family. Our house is yours.’

‘I know, but I like to help if I can, but are you sure you’re not too tired for the demonstration? You seem so completely exhausted this week. You have been working with the suffragists almost every night and the campaigning on Saturday is bound to take its toll. You must take extra care of yourself. For the baby’s sake, if not your own.’

‘It’s been a tougher few days than usual, I must admit, but most of the organisation is in place now. Plus, I’ve had to take into account that Elizabeth wants something from every department to be displayed in Pennington’s windows before Christmas, which hasn’t been an easy task. I’m sure I’ll be fine. I’m tired, but loving my work, as always. The new windows will certainly be my biggest project before I leave to have the baby.’

‘When will you leave?’ Cornelia asked, secretly hoping her sister-in-law had changed her mind about working for the next few weeks. ‘Have you spoken to Miss Pennington about it?

‘Yes, and she’s been wonderful. I know it’s far from usual for an expectant mother to work so long through her pregnancy, but I so want to stay until Christmas.’ Esther put her hand on her stomach. ‘Of course, asking Elizabeth if she would be godmother to the little one might have helped in persuading her.’

Cornelia smiled. ‘I’m sure it did. You’re going to be a marvellous mother, Esther. You will take a new baby in your stride, just as you did Rose and Nathaniel. When Abigail died, I feared Lawrence would never find another wife. Their marriage was arranged and lacked love, but he was loyal and committed.’ She squeezed Esther’s foot. ‘Neither he, nor I, could have expected you to come along and fill his heart like no woman has before.’

Esther blushed. ‘Oh, stop it. And, for your information, I didn’t take Rose and Nathanial in my stride. I was downright terrified of them in the beginning.’

‘This baby is going to be the luckiest child. Lord knows, if I would’ve had half your strength, I would’ve left David years ago and then, maybe, the boys would be happier than they are now.’ Tears clogged Cornelia’s throat, and she swallowed, quickly looking towards the drawn drapes at the window. ‘You’ve taught me that life for women might not be the same as it is for men, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do all we can to narrow the gap.’

‘Hear, hear.’