Page 9 of The Thorn and the Rose

Montagu chuckled. “Don’t tell anyone, but so do I,” he admitted in an undertone, and Pip watched as he carried his daughter away down the corridor to find his mother. Pip followed in their wake, feeling like an intruder but not about to be left out.

“Share cake,” Tilly offered, patting his shoulder.

“A generous offer. Thank you, Tilly,” said Montagu. “But I think there will be enough for all of us.”

“Good.”

His amused laugh echoed down the corridor as Pip hurried after them. Finally, they paused outside the door to his mother’s favourite room in the house and one she had claimed as her own parlour.

“Ready to be kissed and hugged and fed too much cake?” Montagu asked gravely.

“Ready,” Tilly agreed.

“Come along, then.”

They swept into the room to discover his mother standing by the curtains, staring out of the window. She was pale, and it was clear to Pip she had been crying, worrying herself sick over Thomas.

“Oh, is there news…?” she began, her expression lightening at the sight of her husband and son, and then her eyes fell upon Tilly.

“Not yet, darling,” Montagu said gently. “But we have a visitor, one who I think we shall have to come to stay often.”

“Stay, Papa?” Tilly asked, turning to Pip.

His mother gasped and Pip felt his colour rise as shame flooded him, but he smiled at Tilly, nodding reassuringly. “This is your family, Tilly. It was very… very bad of me not to bring them to you before, but I was selfish, you see. I wanted you all to myself because I like you best of all.”

Tilly beamed at this and wriggled in Montagu’s arms. He set her gently down and she ran to hug Pip. He bent and clung to her, gaining courage from his beautiful daughter. Taking her hand, he straightened and walked her over to his mother, who was staring at her with wide eyes.

“Mother, please forgive me but… but I hope Ottilie will make it up to you. I shall try to do so also b-but…” He didn’t get any further as his mother embraced him, weeping and clinging to him. “Pip, oh, Pip, you wretched boy. How could you? How could you keep her from us?”

“I’m sorry, Mother,” he managed, struggling to keep his composure. “I didn’t know how to.”

“Papa?” Tilly said anxiously, tugging at his hand.

Matilda gathered herself at once and crouched down. “Oh, darling girl. I’m so sorry. It’s awful when grown-ups cry and make a fuss, isn’t it? But I’m terribly, terribly glad to meet you. You’ve made me so happy.”

Tilly smiled and clung to her father’s leg. “You’re pretty.”

“Oh!” His mother gave a choked laugh. “Oh, not half so pretty as you, sweetheart, and you… oh, you have silver eyes like your grandfather. Oh, how beautiful you are. You look very much like your Auntie Cat, you know.”

Tilly put her hand to her mouth and giggled. “Silly. Cats can’t be aunties.”

“She’s got you there, darling,” Montagu observed with a wry smile.

Matilda laughed and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. “Might I have a cuddle, do you think? Or perhaps a kiss on the cheek, as you don’t know me very well yet.”

Tilly glanced up at him and Pip nodded, smiling. “She gives the very best cuddles, Tilly.”

“And cake?” Tilly asked hopefully.

“Oh, of course cake!” Matilda exclaimed, giving a little hiccoughing laugh as the child ran to her and kissed her cheek, putting her arms around her neck.

She stared across at Montagu, who smiled at her, and Pip allowed himself to let out a breath. He did not doubt there would be recriminations to endure, but they had accepted Tilly with open arms, as he had known they would, and perhaps she would bring them comfort, until he could fetch home his missing brother.

8th June 1845, The Sons of Hades, Portman Square, London

Thorn sighed and collapsed against the side entrance to the club, raising an unsteady hand and knocking hard. He felt giddy and sick and most unlike himself. A moment later, he almost fell through the breach as the door opened. He swayed, relieved to look up and see Larkin’s startled face staring back at him as the fellow reached out and caught hold of his shoulders.

“Thorn!” he exclaimed, a catch in his voice. Rather to his surprise, Thorn was pulled into a fierce embrace and just as quickly thrust away again. “You bastard! Where the hell have you been? Did you not think to have someone let us know you were still alive?”