Page 49 of A Contracted Spouse for the Prizefighter

She shook her head. “It’s livingand breathing, I can feel it,” she tried to explain. “I don’t know how, but you can sort of tell when a place is thrumming with life. When it’s essential to people. When it’s needed. The Parthenon hasn’t been like that in a long time. Not in my lifetime,” she said sadly.

Clem was quiet for a moment, letting her take in every scuff on the skirting boards, every sign of wear on the well-worn floorboards, even the faint smell of cigar smoke that hung in the air after last night’s performance. Every single feature spoke to her and told her that she was right about The Eagle and Sun. “You really pack this place out? Four days a week?” she asked finally.

“Twice on Saturdays and Sundays,” he agreed. “How can you tell it’s alive?” This last question seemed almost dragged from his lips.

She focused again on him for a moment. He was watching her intently. “It’s hard to explain,” she said simply. “It’s like a sort of atmosphere. Almost like being in church.”

Clem snorted. “Church? You won’t be saying that after you’ve seen Florrie Foss perform Mr. Mellar’s Prize Marrow.”

Her wonderment dispelled and she teetered a moment on the brink of surprised laughter. Instead, she pursed her lips and whistled the tune she had heard him whistling that day as he sauntered down the Old Harlow Road. “Is it that one?” she asked.

Clem stared at her a moment and then she found herself snatched up in his arms and thoroughly kissed. “Dora,” he groaned.

“Yes?”

“Stop being so sweet, or I’ll eat you up.” She clung to his shoulders. She was being sweet? “Besides,” he growled, “that’s a different tune. That’s Oh, Mr. Hipkins.”

“Oh. Well, I think you should teach me that one too.”

Clem had just opened his mouth to respond when a cough behind them made them both start. Her new husband tensed and set her back on her feet before he turned around to face the newcomer. “Sidney is there something I can do for you?” he asked tersely.

Theo peered about Clem’s bulk to see an impudent freckled face cocked in her direction. “This ‘er?” Sidney asked, thrusting a thumb toward Theo. “Your new missus?” He was leaning on a broom with his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbow and a bright red scarf tied about his neck. She liked the look of him immediately.

Before Clem could respond, Theo stepped around him and thrust out her hand. “Hello Sidney, I am very pleased to make your acquaintance,” she said. “I’m Dora Dabney.” Clem breathed noisily in and out beside her, but she took no notice. She intended to start as she would carry on. Dora Dabney was her professional name and she meant to be known by it in her place of work.

“Pleased to meet you too, Dora,” Sidney exclaimed, tipping his cap back on his head and grasping her hand. He shot a speculative look at Clem. “I’m general dogs body around here,” he said cheerily. “You need anyfink doin’, ask for me. Wivin reason like,” he added as a qualifier. “I’m not a bleedin’ miracle worker.”

“I will certainly bear that in mind, Sidney,” she responded gravely.

Sidney winked at her before eyeing his employer severely. “Good to hear you’re on the straight and narrow now, boss, wiv the love of a good woman.” He cast a knowing look at Clem, before moving away, industriously sweeping his broom.

Theo shot a slightly apprehensive glance at her husband and found him speechlessly glaring after Sidney. “What a nice man,” she said warmly.

FOURTEEN

Clem managed to gather up four of his sizeable suitcases without help and Jim grabbed the last two. Clem permitted her to carry nothing but the small leather hold all they had taken to Wards and her handbag. “Have you ordered a conveyance?” she asked, eyeing the amount of luggage as they trooped down the stairs.

“We can just take a hackney,” was Clem’s unconcerned response.

Theo had her doubts about this, but sure enough, after a moment’s spirited arguing with the cabbie, and what she suspected was a sizeable bribe, Clem piled his cases into the small area available.

“What about me?” she was forced to ask when he clambered up before her.

He slapped his thigh. “You perch right here, Mrs. Dabney,” he answered, reaching a hand down to haul her up. Jim took her elbow and helped her in, though he looked very embarrassed when she thanked him and took a hasty step.

It was a little undignified, and she only just fit. Indeed, she was forced to bend her neck, or her bonnet would be scraping the roof.

“Well, this is cozy,” Clem commented, giving Jim a nod as they lurched off. Theo made a grab for his shoulders.

“Feeling nervous?” he asked sympathetically.

“Yes, I don’t want to get whiplash.”

He grinned. “I meant about confronting your family.”

She pressed her lips together resolutely and shook her head. “No. I knew this moment would come. It is simply something we have to face together and get out of the way. When we inform your family, I shall stand just as firm, never fear.”

“When we—?” He broke off his words, then gave a shrug. “My Uncle Danny won’t blink an eye. My cousin Grace is a tartar though. You won’t win her over easily.”