Gypsy - Lesley Pearse [44]
‘We’ll manage,’ Beth said fiercely.
Beth was hoping against hope that when they spoke to Mr Edward he would tell them that his wife wasn’t in her right mind because she was poorly. But at three o’clock, the time she’d asked Mrs Bruce to fix for her and Sam to talk to him, he opened the drawing-room door as they came up the stairs from the basement and there was a kind of glow in his eyes.
He didn’t have the warmth his wife had; he was starchy and cool with everyone. Beth knew that was due mostly to his upbringing and his business responsibilities, but she had seen him unbend when talking to Molly.
‘You want to discuss the proposition my wife put to you?’ he asked.
‘Yes, sir,’ Beth said, her legs turning to jelly.
‘Come on in and sit down,’ he said.
The fire was roaring up the chimney and the lamp had been lit as it was such a dark grey day. Mrs Langworthy was there too, wearing the same black dress she’d worn for the funeral, but she looked much better than she had the previous day. She was seated by the fire, and Mr Edward indicated for Beth and Sam to sit down on the couch in front of it. He remained standing, his elbow on the mantelpiece.
‘My wife fears you may think she made her suggestion rashly, without consulting me. But in fact she raised it with me back at Christmas,’ he began.
‘And your views at that time?’ Sam said archly.
‘That Molly was a delightful baby, one I could certainly care for as my own. But we weren’t in a position to discuss the possibility of it with you, not while my father required so much care.’
‘But just a few days after his death you felt it was appropriate to tackle Beth on the subject?’ Sam said sarcastically.
Mr Edward blushed. ‘I was very alarmed when my wife informed me she’d spoken out so bluntly. It should have been handled with tact and at a far more appropriate time.’
‘Please forgive me for that.’ Mrs Langworthy spoke up, wringing her hands anxiously. ‘I’m afraid my affection for both Molly and Beth made me too impulsive and if I did offend or even frighten her, then I am so terribly sorry.’
‘We do understand that Mrs Langworthy wishes the very best for Molly,’ Sam agreed, looking straight at Mr Edward. ‘But what we need to establish today is whether you are both of the same mind.’
Beth was surprised Sam could be so bold and forthright. She had been a little afraid he would just allow himself to be railroaded into agreeing with everything the Langworthys said.
‘Indeed we are,’ Mr Edward said firmly. ‘I can assure you both I share my wife’s wish to cherish her, protect her and give her everything we would have given our own child had we been blessed with one. I have very little previous experience with small children, I admit, but I find Molly utterly delightful.’
Beth could only stare at Mr Edward, for she hadn’t expected him to show that degree of warmth or commitment.
‘Beth!’ Sam looked sharply at his sister. ‘Have you anything to add?’
‘If we let her stay with you, will you promise that you will write and let us know how she is, until she’s old enough to write herself?’ she asked, her voice shaking with emotion.
‘You have our word on that,’ Mr Edward said gravely. ‘If you should come back, you will be welcome to come and see her too. All that I ask is that you allow us to become her legal guardians, to take our name. We need that security.’
Beth and Sam exchanged glances, realizing that in the eyes of the law this would mean they were relinquishing their rights to their sister.
‘No child could be more wanted,’ Mrs Langworthy pleaded. ‘She will have us, Mrs Bruce, Kathleen, and Cook too. It will be a stable, happy home full of love. We know what a wrench this will be for you both, but by putting her in our care you will be safeguarding her future.’
Sam looked to Beth and she nodded. ‘When she’s older you must tell her that we didn’t do this easily, only because we believed it to be the best for her,’ Sam said tremulously.
‘We certainly will, my dears.’ Mrs Langworthy got up and took Beth’s hands, drawing her up from her chair to embrace her. ‘We won