by Carla Kelly
Diana fled to the schoolroom, where she found that Jenny had taken Meggie and Florence for a walk, the girls being far too excited about their forthcoming performance to settle to any work. That gave Diana an opportunity for a little quiet reflection in her room, which did much to restore her equilibrium and make her see the sense in remaining at Chantreys, at least for the moment. Much as she would prefer a quick, clean break, it would be better for Meggie and Florence if they were prepared for her going. It would be painful for her to continue as hostess and act as if nothing had occurred, but she would do it, for their sake.
* * *
It had been agreed that Diana would take the girls to the drawing room before dinner to be introduced to the Marchioness of Hune and her protégée, Miss Ellen Tatham, but even on the top floor of the house it was impossible to avoid news of their arrival. Nurse came puffing up the stairs to announce that the marchioness was come and with such a quantity of luggage that Mrs Wallace was in despair as to where it would all go, and when Jenny arrived to help Diana and the girls to change their gowns she was clearly impressed by her ladyship’s dresser.
‘Miss Duffy, she is, and she has ’em all in a spin below stairs,’ Jenny declared as she took a brush to Meggie’s tangled curls. ‘When I saw her in the hall she looked down her nose at me in such a way that I mistook her for the marchioness herself!’
‘I believe it is often so with retainers of long standing,’ Diana replied calmly, not wishing to make the girls nervous of meeting Lady Hune.
‘Perhaps it is, miss,’ said Jenny cheerfully. ‘Now, then, Miss Grensham, what are you going to wear tonight? The rose-green looks very well.’
But if she wore that Diana thought someone might comment upon the fact that she was not wearing the emeralds.
‘The teal,’ she decided. ‘I shall wear the teal and my pearls.’
* * *
The summons came soon afterwards and Diana escorted her charges to the drawing room. Alex was waiting for them and as they came in he fixed Diana with a dark, enigmatic stare.
‘Davenport is worried I might frighten you all away if he is not here to protect you.’
The voice, rich with amusement, brought Diana’s attention to the old lady sitting in regal state in one of the arm chairs. So this was the Dowager Marchioness of Hune. She was dressed all in black with quantities of silver lace at her wrists and neck and held an ebony cane in one gnarled and beringed hand. Her silver hair was neatly piled about her head and the faded blue eyes were sharp, but not unkind as they surveyed Diana and her charges. Alex performed the introduction and the girls made their curtsies before moving to sit on the sofa near the dowager’s chair.
Lady Hune turned to Diana. ‘I believe you are the girls’ governess, as well as sharing guardianship with my nephew?’
‘Yes, ma’am, for the moment.’
‘Why do you say that? Is there some doubt of your continuing here?’
Diana was trying to frame an answer when there was a welcome distraction. The door opened and a young lady appeared, a golden-haired vision in cream muslin sprigged with tiny blue flowers that matched the cerulean blue of her large eyes. She was, thought Diana, startled, the loveliest creature she had ever seen.
‘I beg your pardon, Duffy could not remember where she had packed my Norwich shawl and in the end I have come down without it, for I did not wish to put off meeting Lord Davenport’s wards.’ Her pleasant voice was laced with laughter as she crossed the room. ‘My goodness, but you are both so pretty, no—do not tell me, let me guess. You must be Lady Margaret, yes? And if that is so then you are Miss Florence.’ Having delighted the children with her friendly manners the vision addressed Diana, who was standing a little to one side. ‘And you must be the famous Miss Grensham,’ she said, dipping a little curtsy. ‘Lord Davenport has told me so much about you.’
‘And this baggage,’ declared Lady Hune with mock severity, ‘this is my protégée, Miss Ellen Tatham, putting me to the blush with her lack of manners.’
‘Oh, fie, ma’am, you know we stand on no ceremony with Lord Davenport,’ Miss Tatham responded, casting a mischievous look at Diana. ‘He is Lady Hune’s great-nephew, you see, Miss Grensham, and obliged to be courteous to me and to stand up with me whenever we meet at the balls and assemblies, so we have become great friends.’
‘This is your first Season, I believe?’ murmured Diana, sinking down into a chair even as the vision disposed herself gracefully on the sofa next to Florence.
‘Yes, and Lady Hune has been good enough to sponsor me,’ replied Miss Tatham. ‘It was intended that Phyllida, my stepmama, would present me, but not only was she disobliging enough to fall in love last autumn, she felt it necessary to marry and to set up a nursery immediately, so she has not been in any fit state to be jauntering around London. It was proposed that my Aunt Hapton would step in, but fortunately, Phyllida’s husband is another of Lady Hune’s great-nephews, so I am part of the family now, which makes it perfectly proper for her ladyship to bring me out.’
‘And your stepmama?’ enquired Diana, smiling at this breathless recital.
‘She has presented her husband with a lusty heir,’ Miss Tatham said. ‘But Lady Hune thought it best to leave the doting parents to coo over their baby while we continue to enjoy ourselves.’
‘Enjoy?’ declared the dowager. ‘If I had realised how fatiguing it would be, I should have remained in Bath and left you to your aunt’s ministrations.’
Miss Tatham was not a whit cast down by the words, nor the scowl that accompanied them. She merely laughed.
‘You know you love every minute of it, ma’am, and looking after me stops you from worrying yourself into a fever over Lady Cassandra.’
‘Lady Hune’s granddaughter,’ Alex explained to Diana. ‘She and her husband were in Paris when war was declared.’ He turned back to the dowager. ‘Is there any news of Cassie, ma’am?’
Lady Hune shook her head.
‘I had one letter soon after hostilities resumed, to say they had been detained. Since then it has been difficult to discover just what has happened to them. I hope, if her cousin had indeed escaped to France...’
‘Ah, the infamous Wolfgang Arrandale,’ said Alex. He glanced at Diana and said, by way of explanation, ‘Florence’s father.’
She nodded. She knew the story, how Florence had been born as her mother lay dying and the wild young man who was her father had fled abroad, accused of murdering his wife.
Alex turned to Lady Hune and said gently, ‘You are aware, ma’am, that nothing has been heard of him for years.’
‘But there was a rumour he was living in France under an assumed name,’ the dowager replied. ‘If that is so, he might be able to help Cassandra.’
Alex gave the slightest shake of his head. ‘I fear you are clutching at straws, Aunt.’
‘I fear so, but I have to try. The boy certainly had friends in France. I have tried to contact them, but it is impossible to know if my letters ever arrived. And even if they did, there is only a small chance they would be of help to Cassandra.’
For a moment the mask slipped. The thin hand holding the cane clenched until the knuckles gleamed white and Diana saw the haunting sadness in the old lady’s face, but only for a moment, then Lady Hune seemed to straighten her shoulders. ‘However, there are reports that many of the English have gathered in Verdun and are enjoying themselves vastly. They have made themselves at home there with entertainments and gambling and horse-racing.’
‘Yes, I have heard that.’ Alex nodded. ‘I believe they call it Little England. Let us hope that Cassie and her husband have found their way there.’
‘Yes, let us hope that.’
The sorrowful note in the dowager’s voice was not lost on Miss Tatham, who immediately jumped up.
‘You must be tired from the jour
ney, my lady. Let me take you upstairs where you may rest until it is time for dinner. I am sure Miss Grensham will excuse us.’
Miss Tatham suited actions to her words and gently led the dowager away, leaving Alex and Diana alone with the girls. The room seemed suddenly very quiet and Diana sought for something to say to break the silence.
‘Miss Tatham is a lively companion for the dowager.’
‘‘She is, but she is also very conscious of my great-aunt’s age and takes great care of her,’ Alex replied. ‘The arrangement works exceedingly well.’
* * *
Another silence stretched. Alex felt the awkwardness and wished he could say something to ease it.
‘Diana—’
‘We must be getting upstairs, too.’ She rose and held out her hands to the girls. ‘Meggie and Florence have to prepare for their performance tonight.’
Meggie looked up at Alex anxiously. ‘Will everyone be coming to watch us?’
He smiled and ruffled her hair.
‘Why, yes, I will not allow anyone to miss it. I am sure you will sing and dance delightfully.’ He glanced up. ‘Can the girls not make their own way to the schoolroom? We might take a walk in the garden—’
The suggestion made her shy like a nervous colt. She murmured, not looking at him, ‘You promised, my lord.’
Yes, he had promised and he must keep to it. Alex went to open the door.
‘Of course. Off you go then. Until dinner, Miss Grensham.’
Chapter Fifteen
There was no doubt that Lady Hune and Miss Tatham made a welcome addition to the company gathered in the drawing room before dinner. The dowager was happy to converse upon any subject, while Miss Tatham’s liveliness lifted the spirits and charmed everyone, not just the gentlemen who gravitated towards her.
‘Like bees around a honeypot,’ observed Lady Frances, stopping beside Diana. ‘Ellen Tatham has everything, she is young, handsome and endowed with a considerable fortune.’
‘Indeed, she is a very fortunate young woman,’ agreed Diana, looking across the room to where Alex was laughing at something Miss Tatham was saying.
The leaden weight around her heart grew heavier and she turned away, but Lady Frances followed her.
‘The earl has been seeing a great deal of her in town the past few months.’
If Frances was trying to make her jealous she was missing her mark, thought Diana, and in any case it no longer mattered, since she would soon be leaving Chantreys and Alex for ever. The lady continued in a low voice.
‘There is much talk in town that they will make a match of it.’
‘I wish them well then,’ muttered Diana.
‘Yes, it is best to accept the inevitable,’ murmured Frances with spurious sympathy. ‘Even though you have worked so hard to minimise that ugly walk of yours, Miss Grensham, you could not compete against such a beauty.’ Her contemptuous look raked Diana from head to toe. Suddenly the teal gown with the gold-silk tambouring felt no more special than a rag upon her back. ‘Your transformation came too late.’
Diana remained rooted to the spot as Frances walked away. How was she to bear another full day of this?
You must. It is for the children’s sake. Hide your grief and keep your head up, Diana.
* * *
Dinner was easier. Diana kept her attention fixed upon her food and entertaining those guests seated immediately around her. On her left she had Sir Charles Urmston, and although she could not like his rather unctuous courtesy, it was some comfort that he did not spend the whole time staring stupidly at Miss Tatham, which she noticed Mr Avery and Mr Hamilton were doing.
As soon as the ladies withdrew Diana excused herself and went off with Mrs Appleton to collect Meggie and Florence and take them to the orangery. She knew Alex would not allow the gentlemen to linger over the brandy tonight, so they had less than an hour to prepare.
* * *
The candles were burning brightly in the orangery by the time the earl and his guests came in. Mrs Appleton played a selection of music that blended with the chatter of the audience as everyone took their seats. Diana kept Meggie and Florence beside her, sitting quietly on a bench behind the pianoforte. From there Diana watched Alex walk in with the dowager on his arm, Mr Wollerton following with Miss Tatham and they settled themselves on the front row of seats with Alex sitting between Lady Hune and Ellen Tatham.
Once everyone was settled Diana rose to introduce the ballad Lady Margaret and Miss Florence Arrandale were to sing. She was nervous, but not overly so. It was as if she was looking down upon the scene, watching herself walk slowly to the front of the dais. The skirts of her gown caught the light, shifting from green to blue and whispering about her as she moved gracefully across the raised platform, her steps even and steady. Alex was regarding her intently, a look of approval on his face. Of pride. And why should he not? Whatever wrong he had done her, she could not deny that he had given her the courage to stand tall and face the world. A small victory and a bittersweet memory to take with her when she left Chantreys.
She stood to one side, her back to the audience as the girls sang. She smiled encouragement, mouthed the words and led the applause that followed their rendition. Then she stepped forward again. There was silence in the room, every eye was upon her, expectant, waiting. She cleared her throat and began her next little speech, inviting them to imagine a leafy glade and two fairy sprites dancing therein...
* * *
Diana took her place at the side of the dais while the music flowed and soared, filling the room. Meggie and Florence danced the routine Suzanne and Chantal had created for them, their flowing white dresses sashed with dark green and wreaths of evergreens upon their heads. They jumped and twirled and skipped about the stage quite beautifully and when it was over the audience showed its appreciation, the gentlemen clapped, the young ladies exclaimed in delight and the matrons in the audience sighed and wiped away a tear. It was done and it was a success.
‘Well, that went very well, I think,’ declared Mrs Appleton when Diana went over to thank her.
‘Very well indeed.’ Diana smiled and looked across to where Meggie and Florence were being praised and fêted by a group that included Alex and Miss Tatham. ‘You will stay for refreshments, Mrs Appleton? I have asked Fingle to bring wine and cakes and lemonade for everyone.’
The room was already being rearranged into a more informal setting. Tables were brought in and servants began to circulate with their heavily laden trays.
‘I must say, Miss Grensham, you have worked wonders with the little ones,’ observed Mrs Appleton, packing away her music. ‘When one thinks that it is not yet a year since Lady Margaret lost her parents. I am sure it has been a great comfort to the little girls that you have been here to look after them.’
‘Thank you, ma’am.’ Diana’s restless gaze wandered over the room, quickly moving on from the sight of Alex laughing at something Ellen Tatham was saying. Had Fingle sent in enough wine? Should she ask him to bring in more lemonade, or ratafia, perhaps, for the ladies...?
‘And what changes will the future bring, hmm?’ continued Mrs Appleton, turning a beaming smile upon Diana. ‘Are we to expect an announcement tomorrow night, my dear?’
Diana’s wandering thoughts snapped back. ‘An announcement, Mrs Appleton?’
‘Why, yes, one cannot live in a small place like this without everyone knowing what is in the wind, my dear. The new earl paying you such distinguished attention, bringing a house party to Chantreys with you as his hostess and tomorrow, when the whole neighbourhood is gathered here, you will be standing beside him—such an exciting time, Miss Grensham!’
‘M-Mrs Appleton, I assure you, you must not expect anything tomorrow other than the ball.’
‘Now, now, there is no need to colour up.’ Mrs Appleton pa
tted her hand. ‘I do not wish to spoil the moment, but just to let you know that we are all delighted at the prospect. Delighted.’
Cheeks flushed, Diana murmured her excuses and moved away. If ever anything was needed to convince her she must not appear at the ball, that was it.
‘What an excellent display, Miss Grensham.’ Lady Frances came up, her smile honey-sweet. ‘I vow I have never seen children dance better. You were clearly born to be a governess.’ Diana met her comment with a stony silence and the lady’s smile widened before she turned to address the company. ‘Since we are all here then should we not make the most of this beautiful instrument? Mr Hamilton, will you not join me to sing for the company?’
The idea of a musical evening was greeted enthusiastically. Mrs Appleton declared herself only too delighted to play for anyone who needed her and everyone refilled their glasses and milled about the room while those who wished to perform took their turn on the dais.
Diana could not be persuaded to join in, saying she must look after the children, although in truth Meggie and Florence were sitting at a table with Miss Tatham enjoying a treat of cake and lemonade. She wandered about the room, accepting compliments on behalf of her charges, but keeping well away from the dais. And from Alex.
* * *
When Jenny arrived at the appointed time to collect Meggie and Florence Diana had to prise them away from Miss Tatham. They parted reluctantly and only after that young lady had promised to join them for their walk the following morning.
‘No, pray do not you rush off, Miss Grensham,’ said Ellen, when the children were finally consigned to the maid’s care. ‘I would very much like you to sit with me for a little while.’
She signalled a passing footman and procured two full glasses of wine.
‘I would have thought you would like a little peace and quiet after sitting with the girls for so long.’
Ellen laughed. ‘They are charming, Miss Grensham—no, I shall call you Diana, and you shall call me Ellen, if you please—Meggie and Florence are delightful children and a credit to you. Lord Davenport has told me how you have been like a second mother to them. But as their governess I hope you will forgive me for spoiling them a little tonight. I promise you I did not allow them too much cake, but they are so excited I am afraid they will not wish to go to bed.’
