‘Even if he’s in the office I can’t guarantee that he’ll see you, sir. Mr Radley is a very busy man.’ The clerk edged out from behind the desk and scuttled across the tiled floor.
‘I’m not leaving until I’ve had words with him,’ the man said huffily. ‘I’ve got a genuine case.’
Rose had to curb the sudden desire to laugh. There was a childishness about him that made him look like an overgrown schoolboy, but he was still grumbling when one of the office doors opened and a tall man emerged into the foyer. At first sight, with his dark hair and neatly trimmed beard and moustache, he reminded Rose of a pirate or a dashing musketeer, and there was certainly a hint of a swagger in the way he strolled over to the desk.
‘May I be of any assistance?’
‘This man is being attended to,’ Festus said quickly. ‘I came to see Mr Cosmo Radley, but I’ve been told he’s no longer with us.’
‘Yes, sadly that is the case, but I’m his nephew, Eugene Sheldon. How may I be of service?’
‘Festus Parker, and this is Miss Rose Munday. Might we talk in private?’
Eugene’s gaze rested on Rose for the briefest of moments and she noticed that his eyes were the colour of amber rimmed with jet. ‘Of course,’ he said smiling. ‘Come this way.’
Rose followed them into a small office where a large desk dominated the room. Piles of newspapers were scattered in seemingly random heaps on the floor, and the walls were lined with shelves crammed with files.
Festus claimed the most comfortable chair. ‘Your uncle was a close friend of mine, but I never saw Arthur as being suitable to run the newspaper. He was always a rather dull boy.’
Rose held her breath, waiting to see if Eugene had taken umbrage at this tactless remark, but if he thought that Festus was being a little too frank, his genial expression did not falter. He pulled up a chair for Rose before taking his seat behind the desk. ‘I was only twenty and still at university when Uncle Cosmo died. Arthur had been subeditor for years and it was only right that he should step into his father’s shoes. I joined the staff when I left Cambridge.’
‘People can change, I suppose.’ Festus sighed heavily. ‘I’m sorry that I didn’t have a chance to say goodbye to my old friend.’
‘I understand, of course, but you are here now so how may I be of assistance?’
Festus steepled his fingers, eyeing Eugene thoughtfully. ‘I came, as I said, with the intention of renewing my acquaintance with Cosmo, and I brought Miss Munday with me because she finds herself in a difficult situation.’
Eugene turned his attention to Rose. ‘I’m sorry to hear that.’
She felt her cheeks redden. ‘I need a job, Mr Sheldon. It’s as simple as that. I arrived in London recently to find my situation had changed, leaving me stranded with very little money and in desperate need of finding cheap lodgings.’
‘Might I ask how a young lady like yourself came to be in such a plight?’
‘You’re not going to write about me in your paper, are you?’
Eugene’s lips twitched. ‘I promise that this is strictly between ourselves.’
Rose met his amused gaze with a frown. Her situation might seem funny to someone who led a comfortable existence, but it was no laughing matter. ‘My fiancé, Max Manning, sent for me,’ she said coldly. ‘However, when I arrived in England I discovered that his regiment has been sent to Egypt.’
‘Dashed bad luck, but surely he has family here in London?’
Festus leaned forward. ‘Suffice to say that we’ve been through all this, and Miss Munday is in a bit of a pickle. We met on the boat travelling back from Australia and we only landed yesterday, so you can see that Rose hasn’t had time to look around. You, however, must run a Situations Vacant column.’
‘And you were hoping that my uncle might put the lady in touch with a prospective employer. Capital idea, but too late, I’m afraid.’
‘Do you treat everything as a joke, Mr Sheldon?’ Rose asked angrily. ‘I lost my pa a year ago and I don’t find it as hilarious as you do.’
Eugene’s smile faded and he shook his head. ‘Of course not. Some of us disguise our feelings with humour, finding it the only way to deal with the difficulties that beset us. I am really sorry about your father and the predicament in which you find yourself.’
‘So can you help?’ Festus demanded. ‘I really can’t spare much more time on this. Rose needs to find lodgings and she has to have work so that she can pay for her bed and board.’
‘Have you considered returning home, Miss Munday?’ Eugene chose to ignore Festus, focusing his attention on Rose. ‘The war in Egypt might be at an end, but the unrest could go on for years.’
‘I don’t care,’ Rose said stoutly. ‘I’ll wait here for Max to return regardless. I’ll wash clothes or work in a kitchen. I’ll do anything legal to earn my own living.’
‘Rose has received a good education.’ Festus glanced at the grandfather clock standing in the corner. ‘Oh dear, I had no idea it was so late. I have other business to attend to this morning. You may remain here, Rose, or you can accompany me, but I will be going about my own affairs.’
She realised that this was his way of saying that she was on her own, and yet she could not blame him. The Parkers were shipboard acquaintances, nothing more, and it would be unreasonable to expect them to go out of their way for a relative stranger. She managed a weak smile. ‘Thank you for everything, Mr Parker. I’ll be quite all right.’
He stood up abruptly. ‘Well, if you’re sure, I’d better be on my way.’
Eugene was already on his feet, as if anticipating Festus’ sudden departure, and he went to open the door. ‘Goodbye, sir. It’s always a pleasure to meet my late uncle’s friends.’ They shook hands and Festus nodded to Rose as he left the office.
Eugene closed the door. ‘Well then, Miss Munday. It seems as though you’ve been left in the lurch, yet again. Does this mean you have nowhere to sleep tonight?’
‘It would have been so, but I met a lady who helped me last evening. She didn’t have to go out of her way to assist a stranger, but she allowed me to share her lodgings and bought me breakfast. There are some generous people, if you’re lucky enough to meet them.’
‘Will you be able to stay with this person until you find work and a place of your own?’
‘I expect so.’ Rose raised herself from the chair. She was still stiff after spending an uncomfortable night in Cora’s room, although she was not going to admit that to Eugene, who, despite his claim to be sympathetic, still appeared to find her situation amusing.
‘If you would like to give me your address I’ll contact you should anything come up.’
‘The house is in Black Raven Court – I didn’t notice the number – but I think most people there know Cora Smith.’
He frowned. ‘I know the name from somewhere. It will come back to me. As to Black Raven Court – it’s not the most salubrious neighbourhood, especially for a young lady like yourself.’
‘I’m hardly a lady, sir. I spent my first nine years living in a hut in my father’s boatyard in Chelsea, and then we went to Australia and I grew up in a mining town. I think I know how to look after myself. Anyway, I’m sorry to have wasted your time. It really wasn’t my idea to come here.’ Rose walked to the door and reached out to clasp the handle, but Eugene moved swiftly and laid his hand on hers.
‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you, and of course I’ll do anything I can to help. It’s time for luncheon, by my reckoning, and I’d be honoured if you would join