Page 52 of The Extraordinary Florence Stoker

Henry chose that moment to materialise. Eschewing his usual antisocial stance, he’d deigned to accept my invitation. I suppose I should have been flattered. He stood in the doorway, eyebrows bristling, gazing with marked hostility when no-one noticed him until Bram rushed to his side like a moth to a flame, saving me the trouble. Hall Caine, who’d lost his chess game to Sir Richard, fluttered over just as Gilbert, who’d been ready to suggest a rematch, headed in the opposite direction. He really couldn’t abide Henry.

Lucy was trying to persuade me, Catherine Gladstone and Matilda to join a group of women who spent one day a week preparing packages for our soldiers in the Transvaal. We’d just agreed when Gilbert sidled over.

‘I thought you’d better taste than to invite that ham,’ said Gilbert, lifting his glass in Henry’s direction.

‘What’s a party without a bit of melodrama?’ I said.

‘My mother would agree,’ said a voice behind me. My spine tingled and my cheeks flooded with colour.

‘Oscar,’ I exclaimed, spinning around. I hadn’t seen him come in.

Dressed in a royal blue jacket, a silk scarf tied about his neck, he held a glass in one hand and a flower in the other. He quickly handed the stem to me with an elaborate bow. It was a yellow chrysanthemum.

I stiffened. The bloom symbolised slighted love. As he greeted the Gilberts, Mrs Gladstone and Matilda, I swiftly recovered and placed the flower on a table. ‘I didn’t expect you.’

‘I’d never be so boring as to be expected, Florrie.’ He bent and kissed my cheek. ‘I hope you don’t mind me coming. Mammy said I’d be welcome.’

His mother chose that moment to limp across the room, using her cane to push people aside, her black mantilla towering over all of us – even her son.

‘Of course you are,’ I reassured him. ‘Always.’ As Lady Jane fussed over Oscar, I searched for Ellen. ‘Look who’s —’

Ellen gave a shriek and rushed to greet him, William Terriss on her heels. Bram detached himself from the group he was with and slapped Oscar on the back.

‘Good to see you, Wilde. It’s been a while. Heard you’ve been busy.’

‘Not as busy as you,’ said Oscar, gripping Bram’s hand. ‘Congratulations on the book.’

Bram brushed the compliment away, though I could tell he was pleased. ‘Just some children’s stories inspired by those Mammy and Nurse told me as a child. They’re quite gruesome, really.’

We all tittered, me nervously. They really were. Though I loved macabre stories as much as the next person, when Irving had nightmares from Bram’s tales of morbid hauntings and ferocious beasts, I was more than a little apprehensive.

‘So are most children,’ said Oscar and gulped his wine.

‘Who then grow into gruesome adults,’ I said, looking casually about the room.

Oscar followed my gaze. ‘None of us can stand others having the same faults as ourselves – not even you, Florrie.’

‘Why, Oscar, that presumes I have some.’

There was more laughter and a burst of excited chatter before Bram wandered away to greet new arrivals, including Oscar’s brother, Willie. After telling me how lovely I looked and what a splendid afternoon it was, William Terriss took Ellen aside. Gilbert’s business partner, Arthur Sullivan, drew Lucy, Gilbert and Mr Du Maurier into a deep conversation. I began to relax. Over by the fire, Bram was finding a seat for Lillie Langtry, who’d arrived unaccompanied, pleasing the men, especially Willie Wilde, George and Richard, no end.

‘By the way,’ I said, when it was just me and Oscar. ‘I’ve been wanting to thank you for the lovely flowers you sent on the opening night of The Cup. You shouldn’t have.’

Oscar smiled and my heart somersaulted. ‘No, I really should have. But you didn’t wear them.’

‘You saw me?’

‘I’ve always seen you, Florrie.’ He raised his glass in Bram’s direction. ‘Apart from having to endure old Henry, how are you and Brammie?’

My lips twitched. ‘You know Henry’s pet name.’

‘Shocking, isn’t it? Less like a Brammie, etcetera. Never mind, I’ve one for the master. Hen-peck, I call him, but don’t tell him.’

‘I think I might …’ I grinned.

Oscar’s hand clutched his chest. ‘Your teasing always undid me.’

‘Oscar. Don’t —’ I went to leave.