“No, I’ll see to it myself.”
I went back up to my room and made a hopeless mess of my hair. As I was about to give up and put it back in a plait, I heard a noise in the hall. I listened. A door closed, but the sound came from the wrong direction, the opposite end of the hall, where all the bedrooms were closed off.
I got up and opened the door. Hannah came dancing down the hallway, twirling round and round. When she saw me, she stopped short. “Excuse me, Lady Thomasina, I forgot where I was. I like to dance sometimes, and the hall makes a nice space for it.”
I’d never thought of that, but I supposed she was right. “Is there anything wrong?” I asked. “I thought I heard a door closing.”
“No, I was just checking to make sure water hadn’t come in the window of that yellow bedroom at the end. The frame needs to be fixed, and sometimes when it rains, water seeps in.”
“Oh. Thank you. I’ll have to ask Miss Tanner to get someone to fix that.”
“No need. I’ve already told her.” She looked at my dress. “That’s very nice. Would you like me to do your hair to go with it?”
“You know how to do hair? That’s wonderful!”
We went back into my room and I sat down at the dressing table. Hannah went to work, chatting the whole time. “I used to do my mother’s hair, but there’s not much call for it at the moment,” she said. “She isn’t in the best of health and is pining for warmer weather. Her rheumatism bothers her something terrible. But once she gets out in her garden, it takes her mind off it. You should see it! Not that it compares to anything here, of course, but she has some beautiful roses and grows the prettiest pinks. She has to live very quietly, so she does like to hear about my days here.”
She paused for a moment and took a step back to examine my head. I didn’t know what she wanted to see, but whatever it was caused her to take down one part and start again. “I told her all about Lord Tretheway and how distinguished he looks,” she said, picking up the comb once more. “Like he was made for the part.” She straightened up, raised her chin, and put her hand on her stomach in an uncanny imitation of the way my father stood with his thumb hooked in his waistcoat.
I’m not sure the girl even realized she was imitating my father, though, because then she switched to a different stance, her hands behind her back and her chin drawn in. I knew right away she was mimicking Mr. Norris. “But that valet, Mr. Norris, he didn’t like me by half, that one,” she said. “He’s a bit of a stick-in-the-mud. Seemed surprised I asked him some questions about the visitors.” She changed back to her normal posture. “Who wouldn’t be curious, I told him, with all the fancy motorcars and chauffeurs here?”
The girl was a natural actress. “Mr. Norris is very dignified,” I replied, trying to pick my words carefully. I didn’t want her to get in trouble with Miss Tanner. “And I’m sure he felt he couldn’t say. You understand, don’t you? He feels like he shouldn’t talk about my father’s business. I’m sure he wouldn’t tell me if I asked.” I hoped this would be enough of a hint to make the girl realize she wouldn’t get anywhere with Mr. Norris.
“He’ll get used to my ways eventually,” Hannah said, not taking the hint. “There.” She put down the comb and gave my hair a final pat.
I turned my head from side to side so I could see it in the mirror. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”
“I miss doing hair.” She looked over at the clock and dropped the brush. “Oh, I should go. I’m supposed to be setting the table!”
“I’m sorry I kept you,” I said. “If Miss Tanner notices, tell her it’s all my fault.”
“If I hurry, she might not notice.” She dashed off toward the back stairs so fast that I hoped she didn’t run into someone on the way down.
When I came down, I saw Lucas and Andrew standing in the entrance hall. I took the steps slowly, hoping I wouldn’t trip. Lucas looked up at me and smiled, not the grin I’d already seen, but a slow smile that turned up on one side. I felt my ears turning hot and knew I was blushing. I ducked my head to cover my embarrassment.
“There you are, Mina,” Andrew said. “I was hoping we could talk in the library before dinner.” He didn’t remark upon the dress. I’m not sure he even noticed what I was wearing.
We went into the library. Lucas followed us, closing the door behind him.
“I need your help with something.” Andrew went over to my father’s desk.
I tensed up. Finally, I’d find out why I’d come home and what I could do to help.
He picked up a roll of paper and took off a paper wrap, then unrolled it on the desk, placing paperweights to hold down the corners. I moved closer to look at it. The paper was blank except for a few irregular lines drawn on it.
“We’re working on some maps for our pilots,” he said.
“How am I supposed to help you with that?”
He tapped the drawing. “This one is for the area in Germany where your mother’s cousin had her house. The government would like as much detail as possible about the village and the surrounding area, down to the individual houses and shops. I know you won’t remember everything, but it is a very small village and your father said you knew every inch of it. He said your aunt could never keep you in the house because you wanted to play outside all the time.”
I looked down at the paper and then back up at him. “My father had me come home for this? A map of a village?” My mother’s first cousin had married a German man, and before the war they lived on a lovely country estate in the Rheinprovinz near the village of Winnefeld. We’d gone there every summer and I had loved all of it, from the tiny fairy-tale villages to the castle ruins to the wooded hills and valleys. The house had been shut up since the beginning of the war, when my cousins went to Switzerland.
“You learn not to ask questions when you are in the military,” Andrew said. “You aren’t told why and you don’t ask. You have to assume someone has a good reason for wanting this information, and your father decided you were the best person to give it.”
I supposed that was a reasonable answer, but something about it didn’t feel right. “You’ve been there too,” I said. “I don’t remember how many summers you visited Crispin there, but it was at least two or three. Why can’t you do it?”
Andrew looked down at the map and then took out a cigarette and lit it before sitting down in my father’s chair. “I tried, but I’ve discovered my memory is not as good as I’d thought it was. Too much has happened and too many years have passed. I could remember a few details, like the house where the blacksmith’s daughter lived, because Crispin and I thought she was very pretty, but your father wants more detail than that.”
It was true that the village had felt like a second home to me. Every family had been there for generations, much as in our own village. They’d made a bit of a pet of me because I was so intent upon learning to speak perfect German. I felt a pang at the memory of how much fun we’d had during our summers there.
I glanced over at Lucas. He had pulled up two chairs, and was sitting down on one while indicating that the other was for me. Andrew held out a pencil. “Draw as much as you remember. This line is the main road through the village.” He pointed at a double line. “And here is the bridge over the stream. Does that get you oriented?”
I took the pencil and studied the paper. “Yes, but I’ve never drawn a map that had houses on it.”
“I remember back when you wanted to be a pirate. You drew treasure maps then,” Andrew said. “They were good. I’m sure you can do this.”
“You wanted to be a pirate?” Lucas sounded amazed.
I felt a little pinprick of annoyance. “Why is that so surprising?” I said. “Doesn’t every child? I’ve always liked adventure stories.”
“It’s just … I mean…” He stopped as if he was confused. “I’d have guessed princess rather than pirate. You don’t look like a pirate.”
“Well, of course not!” What a silly thing for him to say.
“
She is also good at imitating pirate talk, as I recall,” Andrew said.
Lucas smiled. “I have to hear that.”
“Only if we find a treasure map,” I said. “Pirate talk is not appropriate at other times.”
Andrew tapped the paper. “Let’s concentrate on this map,” he said. “Just draw in little squares and label them with as much as you can remember. If you know who lived there, even if it’s just the first names of children, put that down. If you remember someone’s occupation, that will help too.”
I didn’t understand why a pilot would need that information, but Andrew had already made it clear one wasn’t supposed to ask. I began to draw as much as I could remember. Lucas leaned in close to watch. I noticed that he had a nice minty soap smell to him that distracted me. I hadn’t known soap could smell so good.
It took me about an hour to finish, because after I had drawn in the buildings, Andrew began to ask about landmarks. Lucas paid close attention, as if he was trying to memorize all the details himself. It became very obvious that Andrew was not telling me the whole truth about why he wanted the map.
Finally, when I couldn’t remember any more, I set down the pencil. Andrew said, “That’s excellent, Mina.” He lit another cigarette. “I’m sorry I don’t remember more myself. I do remember something about a house called das Hexenhaus. Do you know which one that was?” Lucas leaned forward.
“Yes, it’s this one.” I pointed to a house near the bridge. Hearing that phrase made me smile. “Crispin named Frau Weber’s house das Hexenhaus, the witch house, because she disliked children so much. He used to make up stories about all the dreadful things she would do to me if I wandered into her garden. She did have a lovely garden, every color of flower imaginable.” With a garden like that, I didn’t believe she could have been as awful as Crispin claimed.
Andrew picked up another pencil and made a small “x” next to the house. “What about any of the other names you or Crispin gave them? If they have odd names, it helps people remember them.”
I thought that was a little strange, but I did what he said. There were several we had called by other names. When I was done, Andrew rolled up the map. “Thank you. I’m sure the mapping people will be very pleased.”
“Is that all the help you needed from me?” I asked. I couldn’t believe I’d come all the way home just to help with a map. Disappointment swept through me. Was I supposed to go back to school now, to the dull routine of lessons and meals and schedules? I didn’t think I could stand that.
“This was an enormous help, even if you don’t see it now. You may never know how it helps. That’s the nature of war. We all have our parts to play.” Andrew stood up.
I realized I’d been given the smallest of bit parts, but I forced myself to smile. “I’m glad I was able to help.” My teeth were clenched so tightly that my jaw ached. I stood up too. Lucas went to the library door and opened it.
The front bell rang and a moment later I heard Mrs. Underdown’s voice. “So nice of you to invite me for dinner, Lady Margaret. I do so want to talk to you about a little project of mine. And I’m looking forward to getting to know your young houseguest. When I met him and Lord Andrew on the road, I was quite intrigued by him.”
I’d completely forgotten about Mrs. Underdown. She’d said she was going to stop in during the afternoon. How had she finagled an invitation to dinner?
“Save me from that woman!” Andrew said. “What are we going to do?”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“She’ll try to find out every detail of why we are here.”
I didn’t point out that I didn’t know every detail of why they were here and I also wanted to know. “Don’t worry. I can handle Mrs. Underdown,” I said. “We’ll just change the subject whenever she brings it up. We should go. We can’t hide in the library forever.” I walked out, and Lucas and Andrew followed.
I pasted on a bright smile, bracing myself to match wits with an opponent who was far more skilled than me. If my only other job was to protect Andrew and Lucas’s secrets, I’d do my best.
CHAPTER
SEVEN
AS SOON AS we sat down in the dining room, I heard the front bell ring. I couldn’t imagine who it would be. There had been no sound of a motorcar, and it was late for someone to be arriving on horseback or for anyone but Mrs. Underdown to be driving around in a pony cart. I looked over at Margaret, wondering for a moment if she had invited her mysterious beau to dinner. Just as quickly as that thought came, however, it went. There was no extra place set at the table.
A moment later Miss Tanner came into the room with a young woman who was wearing a stylish coat and a hat, though the hat was nearly falling off and there was mud on her coat.
“Miss Gwendolyn Slade,” the housekeeper said.
Margaret got up, as did Andrew and Lucas. “Gwendolyn! I didn’t expect you until tomorrow,” Margaret said. I hadn’t expected anyone at all; Margaret hadn’t told me we would have another guest.
“I took an earlier train and asked a nice young man at the station to give me a ride,” the girl said. “I was so eager to come back. I had such a lovely time when we were here before.” She smiled at all of us. “Please sit down,” she said. “I’m so sorry I arrived at such an awkward time.”
I wanted to ask her more about the nice young man, but couldn’t figure out a polite way to do it. It had to have been someone on their way to Cranwell, because we didn’t have an abundance of young men driving about the county. And I was sure I would have heard a motorcar. It surprised me that any of Margaret’s friends would want to come to Lincolnshire. Her kind of friends usually didn’t relish country sports and activities. This girl looked made for London. She had a prewar, china-doll gloss about her, all perfect blond hair and perfect alabaster skin. I couldn’t imagine her traipsing about Lincolnshire.
“It’s not awkward,” Margaret said before doing the introductions. When she introduced Andrew, the girl’s smile dropped from her face for an instant and then recovered. “How do you do?” she said, offering her hand. It was almost as if she knew him, though Andrew gave no sign of recognition.
“Hannah will set a place for you.” Margaret motioned to the girl. “And Miss Tanner will take your things.”
“Oh, but I’m not dressed for dinner!” Gwendolyn protested. “I didn’t know you were having other guests. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine,” Margaret said. “No one minds what you are wearing. Please join us.”
Hannah set another place and then she and Miss Tanner left the room. At first it was all very awkward. Lucas didn’t appear at all comfortable in his suit. He couldn’t sit still, his hand constantly going to his collar as if it was strangling him. Andrew didn’t participate in the conversation at all.
Mrs. Underdown dominated the room, focusing her attention on Lucas. I waited, ready to intervene if necessary. When she found out he lived on a cattle ranch with his grandparents, she wanted so much information about cattle herding, it sounded as if she planned to take it up herself. I could just picture her organizing cows into perfect ranks as they marched out to graze.
“I’m quite fascinated that you design aeroplanes while helping to run a cattle ranch,” Mrs. Underdown said.
There it was. I’d known she’d bring it up sooner or later.
“That does sound fascinating!” Gwendolyn exclaimed. “Oh, do tell us all about it.”
I jumped in. “Don’t press him. I’ve already discovered that Mr. Miller is a very modest and shy young man. He’d be embarrassed to tell you of all his accomplishments. Isn’t that right, Mr. Miller?”
He opened his mouth and then closed it. I didn’t wait for any other response. I turned to Gwendolyn. “Have you been doing any war work, Miss Slade?”
Miss Slade gave a start of surprise, as if she’d heard a loud noise. She didn’t speak for a moment. The silence stretched long enough to be uncomfortable before the girl stammered a reply. I caught something about worki
ng in a soup kitchen for returning soldiers and something about also being needed at home.
“Where do your people live?” Mrs. Underdown asked the girl. I swear Mrs. Underdown’s eyes actually gleamed at having a new person from whom to extract information.
Miss Slade regained her composure and spoke more clearly. “I’m from Somerset. My father is a doctor there.”
“Oh, how nice,” Mrs. Underdown replied. That was apparently enough for Mrs. Underdown to slot Miss Slade into her proper place in society.
Mrs. Underdown turned away from her, took a deep breath, and then looked first at Margaret and then at me. “Since you are both home, I have a great favor to ask, a very great favor.” She paused. “I’m planning a little entertainment for some of the officers stationed at Cranwell and for our convalescents in the neighborhood.”
Warning bells went off in my head. I wished I could change the subject before the next words came out of her mouth and we were trapped. Musical evenings to help the war effort had replaced parties as social events, and even though I liked to sing, it embarrassed me to sing in public. But because every girl who had the slightest talent in either voice or in playing the piano was expected to do their part, too many people had been forced to listen to my mediocre attempts. The worst part of it all was that I couldn’t imagine it helped the war effort at all. I’m sure soldiers on leave had many other things they’d rather do, like meet their friends in a pub, than pretend everything was going perfectly with the war.
Before I could think of a reason to refuse a request, however, Margaret said, “We’ve never been known for our singing or playing, but Mina is far better at singing than I am. I’m sure she will volunteer.”
“Oh, it’s something much more exciting than singing,” Mrs. Underdown said. She spread her hands like she was bestowing a blessing upon us. “We are putting on a musical opera the day after tomorrow, a delightful production by Mr. Gilbert for the officers at Cranwell and some of the convalescents in the county. And my very great favor is that I was hoping we could hold it here.”
All Is Fair Page 6
