Turning her attention back to her sister, Emmy said, ‘I don’t suppose you have time to come for a coffee with me? We have so much catching up to do, and I’ve missed you.’
Abi gripped Hugo’s arm possessively and shook her head. ‘Not now, I’m sorry but Hugo and I are just going out to lunch.’
As she stared adoringly up into his face, her cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling, Emmy felt her heart sink. Her sister was clearly besotted with the chap, but did he feel the same way about her or would Abi be just one more in a long line of young women he would play with until he tired of her?
‘Perhaps another day then, or one evening?’
‘I work in the evenings,’ Abi told her, clearly growing impatient to get away. But then seeing her sister’s crestfallen expression, she added not unkindly, ‘But I have Aunt Imogen’s address. I’ll come and see you as soon as I can.’
‘That would be lovely. I’ll look forward to it.’
Emmy watched them walk away, Abi chattering merrily to her companion, their meeting already forgotten. Suddenly the joy had gone from the day and Emmy walked a little further along the road until she saw a horse tram. Stepping aboard she paid her fare and headed back to her aunt’s.But still, she consoled herself,at least I’ve seen her, and she does look well.All she could do for now was hope that Abi kept her promise.
She arrived back at the house to find her aunt in her favourite chair in the drawing room. She had changed her mind and decided to get up after all, although she was still in her night attire with a warm shawl draped about her shoulders.
When Emmy entered the room, she raised an eyebrow and asked shortly, ‘What are you doing back? Didn’t I say you could take the day off?’
‘Yes, you did and it was very kind of you,’ Emmy answered as she began to tidy the pile of magazines on the table at her aunt’s side. ‘I bumped into Abi, but unfortunately she was going out to lunch so we didn’t get to spend much time together.’
‘Out to lunch? Who with?’
‘A young man, as it happens.’
Seeing the disapproving expression on her niece’s face, Imogen chuckled. ‘And what, may I ask, is wrong with that?’
‘Erm .?.?.’ Emmy hesitated. ‘There isn’t anythingwrongwith it exactly but she is only just seventeen. I was hoping to take her shopping and buy her a little gift for her birthday.’
‘Good luck to her, that’s what I say. I was exactly the same at her age. I had a list of suitors as long as my arm. It’s a shame you don’t take a leaf out of her book. You’re too staid by half.’
‘I am not staid!’ Emmy denied, gritting her teeth. ‘I’m just a different nature to Abi, that’s all. I’ve never been a great one for balls and parties and such, like Abi is. I much prefer to read or go for long walks. It wouldn’t do if we were all the same, would it?’
‘I suppose not,’ Imogen grudgingly agreed. ‘But you’re only young once, girl, and you should make the most of it. Don’t forget that. But seeing as you’re back, ring that bell and tell Aggie I’d like some tea.’
With a grin Emmy did as she was told.
Chapter Twenty-Two
‘Isuppose I should be thinking of getting us to the coast for the summer or it’ll be winter again at this rate,’ Imogen told Emmy one evening in late June. ‘But first I should probably give you a few days off to go and visit your mother.’
Emmy eyed her aunt with concern, she was as prickly as a cactus but despite that Emmy had grown fond of her and was worried because she hadn’t been at all well for the last couple of weeks. She had developed a summer cold and since then had rarely left her room, which wasn’t like her at all. She had even called off her spiritualist meetings for the time being and knowing how much she enjoyed them, Emmy knew that she must feel very under the weather indeed. Because of her aunt’s illness, Emmy preferred to be there to keep an eye on the woman, so apart from meeting Jake each Sunday, she hadn’t ventured out of the house much either.
Today she had been particularly restless because she had received a note from Jake that morning informing her that he had spoken to Jasper who had given him the address of the club that Abi was working at. She hadn’t managed to see Abi again since the day she had spotted her walking with the young man, and it troubled her. She’d hoped that Abi would visit her at her aunt’s as she had promised, but as yet there’d been no sign of her, so after making sure that her aunt had everything she needed, she asked tentatively, ‘Would you mind very much if I went out for a while this evening?’
Her aunt raised an eyebrow. ‘Of course you can go out, but do you mind me asking where you’re going? I know there’s something on your mind. You’ve been like a cat on hot bricks all day.’
‘Jake sent a message today telling me the address of the club where Abi’s working and I thought I might pay her a visit and surprise her.’
Imogen snorted with derision. ‘I don’t think that’s a very good idea,’ she advised. ‘Although I can’t stop you going if you’ve set your mind on it. Most of the clubs in Soho aren’t the sort of places young ladies go to unchaperoned, believe me.’
‘Why not?’ Emmy straightened her back and looked slightly offended. ‘I’m only going to see my sister,’ she pointed out. ‘What’s so wrong in that?’
Seeing that her niece was not going to be put off, Imogen shrugged. ‘Have it your way then, but if you don’t like what you see, don’t blame me. And make sure you get a cab to bring you home. The streets of Soho are no place for a young woman to be wandering about on her own at night.’
‘I’m sure I shall be quite all right; I’m more than capable of looking after myself,’ Emmy answered primly, turning on her heel and hurrying to her bedroom. After changing her dress and putting on her bonnet, she asked Aggie to keep an ear open for her aunt, then snatching up her bag, she set off to find a cab to take her to the Black Cat club.
The cab dropped her right outside a short time later and Emmy felt the first little flutters of nerves in her stomach as she gazed at the outside. There were large posters of scantily dressed girls plastered on the wall and a burly man with hands like hams was standing outside the door.
‘Er .?.?. excuse me,’ Emmy said timidly. ‘I’d like to come into the club.’
