Secrets of Cavendon

by Barbara Taylor Bradford

  Cecily’s eyes filled up, and she could only nod.

  Daphne continued, “When you were a girl, probably about twelve, I think, you took the oath. The ancient oath to protect any Ingham with your life.” When Cecily was silent, Daphne said, “You did, didn’t you?”

  “Yes. I swore the oath. Loyalty binds me.”

  “There you’ve said it again. Promise me you will protect me by keeping my illness a secret.”

  Cecily couldn’t speak. She didn’t even nod. After a moment, she finally said, “I think Miles ought to know. He’ll keep your secret. You know he will.”

  Daphne looked at her for a long moment and then she smiled. “I’ll make a deal with you, Cecily Swann Ingham. All right?”

  Cecily said, “What kind of deal?”

  “Ah, I see the negotiator in you,” Daphne replied, and smiled again, wanting to be cheerful, to lighten the sorrow of this moment. “You will keep my secret, won’t you? Hugo has promised to keep it. And then after the wedding, so as not to spoil anything for your mother or the bride, I will tell Miles myself. Do you agree?”

  “Yes. I understand what you want. We mustn’t let this terrible news of your illness ruin Victoria’s marriage to Christopher. You have my promise. And I want you to know that I am here for you, whatever you might need.”

  “Cheerfulness, Cecily, and a happy attitude. Nobody should be able to guess. And we’ll have to be on our toes. You know they’re all very sharp and clever, our children.”

  “That is true, they are,” Cecily said, and asked, “You will tell Miles once they’ve gone on their honeymoon, won’t you?”

  “You have my word, my oath. Loyalty binds me.”

  * * *

  Alicia was beginning to feel better. The arrival of her parents at Cavendon had cheered her up immensely, and the news of Fennell’s “execution,” as Charlie called it, had destroyed the lingering fear she had been harboring about him.

  Charlie had called it a new beginning, and she hoped it was. She still had feelings of guilt at times, because she had been the one who had brought Adam Fennell into the family.

  Alex Poniatowski had introduced her to a psychiatrist, who had been able to help her deal with this guilt, and it lessened her anxiety. And not one member of the family had ever blamed her.

  Alex was on her mind today because he would be coming to the wedding on May 27. He was to be Christopher’s best man, exactly one week from today at the church in Little Skell village.

  She looked up as Victoria came into the blue-and-white sitting room, looking pretty in a red-and-white-striped cotton frock.

  She hurried over. “Hello, Alicia,” Victoria said, and kissed her on the cheek. Sitting down in a chair, she went on, “It’s so lovely of you to have this coffee morning for me.”

  “It’s my pleasure, and I’m glad you agreed to come early,” Alicia said. “I have a present for you, as well as the traditional bride’s little gift from her girlfriends.”

  As she finished speaking, Alicia handed her a decorative shopping bag. Inside was something wrapped in tissue paper. When she pulled the package out and took off the paper, Victoria was holding an old, rather worn blue leather box.

  Opening the lid, she gasped. “Oh, Alicia, they’re beautiful. But I can’t take this string of pearls; they’re far too valuable.”

  “Yes you can. I want you to have them. Aunt Vanessa gave them to me years ago when I was your age. And now they’re yours … to wish you a wonderful marriage, and to say thank you for helping me get through these last few weeks. I appreciate all the love and kindness you’ve shown me. And your cheerfulness and positive attitude has really helped me.”

  “Thank you, Alicia, I’ll treasure the pearls always.” After a moment, Victoria ventured in a careful voice, “Well, what about Alex Poniatowski? Do you like him? What’s happening between you?”

  “Friendship, at the moment, Vicki. You know all about the psychiatrist he introduced me to, and I’m getting some good advice, and feeling more relaxed.”

  “Christopher told me that Alex had a bad time just after the war. He’d joined the British Army. He had plunged into the fighting, knowing he was helping to destroy the Third Reich, and was fighting for freedom and democracy. And then later, after the war ended, depression and survivor guilt hit him,” Victoria said.

  “That’s what Alex told me himself, and the fact that he couldn’t get the image out of his head of his family being brutally killed when the Nazis wiped out the elite of Poland. And actually, we have bonded in a certain way, if you want the truth.”

  “I want you to be happy, Alicia, and maybe it will become … more romantic. Perhaps you will fall in love with Alex.”

  Alicia laughed. “Mrs. Alice asked me about him. Whether he was a suitor or not. And I said I thought maybe he was, but he was keeping quiet about it. Perhaps giving me time to mend.”

  “That sounds just like Aunt Alice. She wants everyone to get married.”

  “I asked her if she had any advice for me, and she said this. Wait. And see.” Alicia smiled at the younger woman. “And I will.”

  A moment later Elise came into the room, followed by Annabel, Alicia’s younger sister.

  Within seconds the young women were chatting and laughing together, excited about the wedding next Saturday. They would all be back at Cavendon for the entire weekend.

  Eric came in with Peggy, and they served coffee and small cakes, and then left them alone to look after themselves.

  A moment later, Cecily arrived and said, “Here I am. Sorry I’m late, and I can’t really stay. I just want to give you this, Victoria.”

  Cecily handed her a square-shaped package and sat down next to her, smiling as Victoria opened it.

  There was a box inside the wrapping paper, and when Victoria lifted the lid, she saw a pair of lovely old hair combs made of tortoiseshell.

  “Something borrowed,” Cecily said. “They’re to pull back your hair at the sides, so your wreath of creamy white rosebuds sits right on top of your head, holding your veil.”

  Victoria put the combs in her long hair immediately, and said, “Thank you so much. Do you mean like this?”

  Cecily nodded. “Yes, I do. And they’re perfect. But borrowed.”

  Annabel handed Victoria a small box. This is something blue. I bet you can guess what it is.”

  Victoria cried, “A blue garter.” And she saw she was correct when she opened her gift. “Thank you, Annabel.”

  “And here’s mine,” Elise said. “They’re new.”

  Victoria found a pair of silk stockings in the paper parcel Elise had passed to her. “Thank you, Elise, they’re very sexy, don’t you think?”

  “And this is from me.” Alicia put a silver-colored paper envelope on Victoria’s lap. “It’s something old.” The lace-trimmed wedding handkerchief inside the silver envelope was delicate, truly lovely. Victoria handled it carefully and thanked Alicia.

  “The only way you can actually have that with you, when you get married next week, is to tuck it through the blue garter on your leg. Or pin it to your knickers,” Alicia announced, sudden laughter surfacing.

  They all laughed with her, hilariously.

  Victoria, ever the practical one, told them, “I shall pin it to my knickers. I want Christopher to see how great my leg looks when I’m wearing a blue garter. Like one of those can-can girls in Paris.”

  Cecily rose and said, “I can’t stay for coffee, I’m afraid. I’m taking Lady Daphne to Harrogate. We’re going shopping. See you all for lunch later. It’s going to be a lovely weekend, with us all here together. Like old times.” Cecily was beaming when she left.

  * * *

  Alice Swann was relieved when the sun came out on Saturday afternoon, May 27. It had been cloudy all morning, and she had worried that it would rain. But the wind had blown the clouds across the sky above the moors. It had become a radiant day for Victoria’s wedding.

  Staring at herself in the cheval mirror in her b
edroom, Alice nodded. She thought she looked rather smart in the elegantly tailored navy blue silk dress her daughter had designed for her. It was from Cecily’s new collection, which had turned out to be such a huge success.

  She walked across the upstairs hall and went into Victoria’s bedroom, where Cecily was helping the bride with her veil. It was made of cream tulle and held in place by a circle of creamy white silk rosebuds.

  “You look lovely, Victoria,” Alice said. “Turn around, please, so I can see the front of the dress.”

  Cecily nodded when Victoria looked at her questioningly. “That’s it, Victoria. You’re ready. And you’re a very beautiful bride.”

  “Thank you,” Victoria murmured, and slowly turned so that Aunt Alice could see her.

  Alice nodded and tears came into her eyes when she saw her little evacuee, now a bride. She blinked them back. “Christopher will never forget the way you look today. Simply angelic.”

  Cecily smiled at her mother. “I cut the bust high in the Empire style, and let the fabric fall down into soft pleats at the front. The square neckline and long sleeves add a sense of the Tudor period. What do you think?”

  “You’ve outdone yourself, Cecily,” Alice answered, and peered at the dress. “Why does the cream silk seem to sparkle?”

  “The fabric has very tiny crystal beads sewn all over it, here, there. I just wanted it to be different and special.”

  Suddenly Walter appeared in the doorway of the bedroom. “I think you and Cecily better be going to the church, Alice. It’s almost time for me to walk Victoria over.”

  * * *

  Victoria had chosen the church in Little Skell village for their wedding, because it was much easier to enter than the family church on the Cavendon estate.

  Alex Poniatowski was relieved she had made this choice; he was able to wheel Christopher up the church path quite easily and into the church without any trouble with the chair.

  As they went down the center aisle, Christopher said, “What a marvelous church this is, Alex, very old and beautiful with the colored stained-glass windows. And somebody’s gone mad with the flowers.”

  He laughed, loving everything that was happening to him today. Who would have thought this would ever come to pass? He was about to marry a gorgeous young woman who had stolen his heart and who made him incredibly happy.

  I’m the luckiest man in the world, he thought. I survived a horrific plane crash, lived to tell the tale, and I’m now a bridegroom. His handsome face was radiant with happiness.

  When they arrived at the altar, Christopher said, “I think it’s going to be quite a crowd, don’t you?”

  “Yes. The Jollion family, Harry and Paloma and their brood. And so many Swanns and Inghams I’ve lost count. A big bunch, with all your friends, too.”

  “Cecily told me that the entire three villages turn out for weddings, and throw confetti, rose petals, and rice. Very traditional.”

  “And very English, which is what I like,” Alex answered.

  There was sudden activity at the back of the church as Harry’s little band of ushers arrived with him. Andrew and Thomas, the Stanton twins; David, the heir to the earldom; and his younger brother, Walter. They looked smart in their morning suits, and each of them wore a white rose in the lapels, as did Christopher and Alex.

  “First the ushers, and now here comes the bridesmaid, Elise, in pale blue, and that adorable little girl, Lady Gwen, also in pale blue.”

  “I hope she hasn’t got the cat with her,” Christopher said, and laughed when he saw Alex’s expression. “I’m joking,” he said.

  Christopher ached for Victoria to arrive and kept his eyes focused on the back of the church as the pews started to fill up with people.

  When Victoria arrived on Walter Swann’s arm a few minutes later, the ushers moved out of the way so that they could stand right at the back. Victoria had asked Harry to do that. She didn’t want Christopher to get a glimpse of her until she walked down the aisle, and was pleased that, at this moment, she and Uncle Walter were not visible.

  Victoria breathed in, smelling the fragrance of the roses and the other flowers, which was intoxicating and obliterated the mustiness of the old stone walls. Everywhere candles flickered; many of them were long tapers, which made everything appear magical, dreamlike, to her.

  Suddenly the organ music started, making her jump. Startled, she clung to Walter’s arm. He glanced down at her. “All right, love?”

  “Very all right, Uncle Walter.”

  There was another rush of excitement as more and more people arrived, and Victoria spotted Lady Daphne with Mr. Hugo, Alicia, and Annabel. Then came many of the men from Biggin Hill, and some of Christopher’s other RAF bods, as he called them. The sight of them will please him, she thought, make him even happier.

  For a moment, she felt as if she were drifting away, felt a slight dizziness, and then her head cleared when Walter said, “This is it, Victoria. Down the aisle we go, my darling girl.”

  They moved slowly, elegantly and in step, Walter guiding her. All kinds of thoughts rushed through her head and she let them go at once. Thoughts of her childhood had no place here today. They were dead and gone, those old horrific memories. Christopher’s love had erased them, she knew that.

  The future was ahead of her. With this extraordinary man who loved her. She smiled to herself when they drew closer to the altar, and she looked at Christopher’s astonished face as he finally saw her.

  It was the same look he had given her when she told him she was pregnant with their first child. Only two other people knew she was carrying his baby: Aunt Alice and Cecily. That was why she had designed an Empire-style gown, to hide the bump.

  A husband and a child, she thought. The two people I love the most in this world. They will be my world. I will look after them both, and love them forever.

  And then she was there, standing next to Christopher’s wheelchair. Alex stepped aside, and Walter put her hand in Christopher’s. He simply gazed at her with tears in his eyes. She was crying, too, but she blinked as the wedding ceremony began and she looked at the vicar.

  Victoria didn’t really hear anything except Christopher’s voice and her own, and she felt the tears stinging for a moment as they uttered the same important words: “I do.”

  Suddenly, David and Walter came forward, carrying cushions on which were laid their gold wedding rings. These were taken off the cushions, and then they gleamed on their fingers … and the organ music started, floating up into the rafters of the church.

  Alex was motioning to her and she bent down and kissed Christopher and then walked alongside him, as Alex pushed the wheelchair. The organ music changed, and they moved along to the sound of the famous melody “Here Comes the Bride.”

  When they arrived at the back of the church, Christopher said, “We’re married, Vicki. I can hardly believe it, my lovely.”

  Her eyes were still moist when she bent over him and kissed him on the mouth. Against his ear she whispered, “And you will be a father in the not too distant future.”

  He looked up at her and said, “My life is just beginning, Mrs. Longdon.”

  “And so is mine,” she answered. And she meant every word.

  Acknowledgments

  I am always a bit sad when I finish a book because I have to say good-bye to so many people who have been with me on this journey: my characters. They have been real people to me before they stepped onto the page, and friends by the time the book comes to an end. And I’m always reluctant to let them go.

  Fortunately I usually have another group of people waiting in the wings, ready and willing to walk out onto the stage, to have me bring them to life and tell their stories. In other words, I have a new adventure ahead of me.

  Once a book is finished, others become involved. I owe thanks to a number of people: Lonnie Ostrow of Bradford Enterprises, who helps in various ways, from research to getting my edits and changes onto the computer with skill; Linda Sullivan of
WordSmart, for producing a perfect manuscript without errors. A beautiful typescript is a treat for me.

  My editor at St. Martin’s Press, Executive Vice President and Publisher Jennifer Enderlin, loves to brainstorm plots and talk about characters, and she is a special sounding board for me. Her enthusiasm for my books is unbounded, and I appreciate her involvement and ideas. My thanks to Jennifer, her assistant, Caitlin Dareff, and the rest of Jennifer’s publishing team.

  My husband, Bob, has always been involved in my writing from the moment I have the first idea for a novel until I write the last page. His love and caring, enthusiasm and encouragement, are unmatched and keep me going strong even on difficult days with story lines and characters. The movies Bob has produced of my books are superbly cast with big stars, dramatic, and captivating. I owe the biggest thank-you to him for being such a loving husband and partner in all ways.

  BOOKS BY BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORD

  Series

  THE CAVENDON CHRONICLES

  Cavendon Hall

  The Cavendon Women

  The Cavendon Luck

  Secrets of Cavendon

  THE EMMA HARTE SAGA

  A Woman of Substance

  Hold the Dream

  To Be the Best

  Emma’s Secret

  Unexpected Blessings

  Just Rewards

  Breaking the Rules

  THE RAVENSCAR TRILOGY

  The Ravenscar Dynasty

  The Heir of Ravenscar

  Being Elizabeth

  OTHERS

  Voice of the Heart

  Act of Will

  The Women in His Life

  Remember

  Angel

  Everything to Gain

  Dangerous to Know

  Love in Another Town

  Her Own Rules

  A Secret Affair

  Power of a Woman

  A Sudden Change of Heart

  Where You Belong

  The Triumph of Katie Byrne

  Three Weeks in Paris

  Playing the Game

  Letter from a Stranger

  Secrets from the Past