‘Don’t harp on it so, Mother,’ Anthea said impatiently. ‘You make me sound like an old hag.’ Her eyes returned to Rikki. ‘I shall sit beside you in the car,’ she said, ‘and you can tell me all about Falcon’s Keep. That ridiculous old solicitor was telling us it’s incredibly old and there are all sorts of romantic stories connected with it.’
‘It is old,’ Rikki admitted, ‘but I suspect most of the romantic tales are fabrications.’
Nevertheless as they drove back he managed to keep her entertained with all sorts of extravagant stories while Mrs. Clifford settled down to question Ginny about conditions at the Keep. A shrewdness replaced her talkative feminine manner as she probed the domestic arrangements. Reluctant as she was to discuss it with this newcomer, Ginny realized that, all too soon, Mrs. Clifford would make sure that she was fully briefed on conditions there.
‘You mean to say,’ Mrs. Clifford echoed shrilly, ‘that this housekeeper practically runs the place herself, and that you have agreed to do your own room? That may be all right for you, my dear.’ She glanced at Ginny’s cheap overcoat, and straight-combed brown hair. ‘No doubt you’re fond of domestic work,’ she said with ill-concealed scorn, ‘but it’s a different matter with Anthea. She’s just not used to fending for herself. She gives all her energies to her art. I’m afraid I’ll have to persuade old Mr. Kendrick to make some other arrangements. ’
Rikki, who had evidently heard the last portion of this remark, turned his head slightly. ‘I don’t know what other arrangements you’re planning to make, Mrs. Clifford, but if you’re a diplomat, you’ll apply to my brother Luke. He’s really the boss-man at Falcon s Keep, but I warn you you’ll find him a hard nut to crack!’
Anthea turned in her seat and regarded Rikki, her eyes wide with interest. ‘He sounds interesting,’ she said. ‘I’ve always admired forceful men, men who know what they want out of life and go for it. ’
Rikki grinned. ‘You appear to be in the habit of twining men around your little finger. Well, make no mistake — if there’s any twining to be done, Luke does it!’
‘But you make him sound positively fascinating,’ Anthea said in a low husky voice. ‘I can’t wait to meet him.’
‘And to get to work on him too, no doubt!’ Rikki grinned wickedly.
Anthea arched her golden eyebrows and gave a small dreamy smile. ‘You forget,’ she said, ‘that I’m resting.’
‘I’ll bet that’s one thing you take no rest from,’ Rikki said, ‘but be warned, you’re going to waste your time on my brother Luke. He’s absolutely woman-proof, and not even you could cause him to budge an inch. ’
Sitting beside Mrs. Clifford, who kept up a chattering monologue on the passing scenery, Ginny felt herself increasingly encompassed by a feeling of insignificance and inadequacy that she was loath to explain. Was Rikki’s assessment of Luke’s reaction even to someone as beautiful and fascinating as Anthea Clifford correct? she wondered. On the other hand anyone as arrogant and self-sufficient as Luke Kendrick must have his Achilles heel, and she was puzzled why the knowledge should be of such importance to her. Could it be, she wondered with a little stab of dismay, that she had already, in spite of herself, fallen in love with Luke Kendrick?
CHAPTER FIVE
It was Mrs. Hingston who opened the door and led them to the sitting-room. Her manner was reserved and calm, as usual, but Ginny noticed a quickening of interest as she observed Mrs. Clifford’s lavish jewellery that was so obviously genuine and her daughter’s expensive and fashionable clothes.
Old Mr. Nicholas was sitting near a wood fire, and a little to Ginny’s surprise, Luke had not yet left for town, although usually he was well on his way by this time. The old man received them with a calm dignity, his face like an ivory carving betraying none of his thoughts as Mrs. Clifford gushingly acknowledged his courteous welcome. But it was Luke’s expression that Ginny studied with eager intensity as he surveyed the tall graceful girl with the honey-coloured hair and air of imperiousness that matched his own. Suddenly ashamed of the fierce curiosity she felt concerning Luke’s reactions, she turned her face towards the window, disconsolately aware that no one in the room was particularly interested in her or her emotions. Somehow the arrival of the
Cliffords had relegated her to a position of no importance.
Even old Mr. Nicholas, who had always shown her much kindness, now let his wise old eyes travel from his grandson to Anthea with a look of wry amusement. ‘Luke was on the point of leaving, but if my old eyes don’t deceive me he’ll probably find an excuse for lingering on. ’
Immediately Luke’s face resumed its habitual reserve. ‘Now you’re being provocative, Grandfather,’ he said easily. ‘You know it was you who insisted on discussing business matters.’
The old man nodded. ‘Perhaps I felt it was in order that you should help me to welcome our new guests.’
‘Don’t let us keep you,’ Mrs. Clifford said quickly. ‘I know we’re just going to love it at Falcon’s Keep - especially now that we’ve met the whole family.’
Ginny, standing at the window, was startled as Rikki, who had noiselessly approached, said sotto voce, ‘I’ve a feeling, Ginny dear, that Luke is quite shortly going to be under siege, and she’s not the type who accepts failure easily.’
Ginny, watching Luke as he said goodbye and went out, turned towards Rikki with a blank gaze.
‘And don’t pretend you don’t know what I mean - it’s written all over that little face of yours that you get the picture. You’ve fallen for that brother of mine, hook, line and sinker!’
To Ginny’s embarrassment, now that Luke had left the room, Mrs. Clifford’s attention was directed towards her. ‘Strange to think we’re relations, isn’t it, Ginny?’ she said loudly. ‘I’ve never even heard of you - but then we have such different backgrounds, haven’t we?’
‘Ginny is one of the world’s Marthas.’ Old Mr. Kendrick’s eyes softened as he glanced at her.
‘I don’t know if I’d take that as a compliment if I were Ginny.’ Mrs. Clifford laughed shrilly. ‘Now Anthea simply doesn’t know how to boil an egg - but then she never had to do any domestic work. As I say, I expect it depends upon one’s upbringing and background.’
Suddenly, as though the interview had tired him, Mr. Kendrick rested his head against the back of his chair, his face grey with weariness. And it was just then that Mrs. Hingston re-entered, as though by some telegraphic knowledge she had become aware that her employer was becoming over-fatigued.
As she assisted him from the room he said courteously, ‘Mrs. Hingston will show you to your rooms. We are a simple family, if a bit unconventional. I want you to feel happy and, in time, like Ginny, to make yourselves completely at home.’
When Mrs. Hingston returned she escorted the newcomers to their rooms and Ginny was left alone with Rikki. ‘I do wish,’ she said, ‘that you wouldn’t say such things to me. They’re so-so untrue, and you’ll only raise difficulties between us.’
‘You’re a fibber, Ginny Lovelace,’ he retorted. ‘You know perfectly well that you were eating your heart out there by the window when you saw the devastating results those superb eyes had on brother Luke.’
So Rikki had noticed it too, Ginny thought. She had not merely imagined the change of expression in Luke’s usually impassive face. His own brother had interpreted it correctly.
Now that her defences were down her native honesty forced an admission. ‘I expect I did feel rather out of things and horribly dispensable, but I expect,’ she added thoughtfully, ‘that Anthea would have this effect on any girl, she’s so beautiful and utterly sure of herself.’
‘I agree,’ said Rikki. Hands in pockets he rocked backwards and forth, his lips pursed as though in deep thought. ‘But then she’s had plenty of practice in the art of snaring the male of the species. Frankly she’s not my cup of tea.’
Ginny gazed at him in surprise. ‘That’s not the impression you gave.’
‘But then I�
�m not as transparently honest as you are, my dear girl,’ he said. ‘I was merely trying to see if my theories were correct. Anyway, as soon as she clapped eyes on Luke she decided to concentrate all her fire in his direction. It will be interesting to study brother Luke’s reactions. I’m going to watch further developments with close attention,’ he finished as he drifted towards the door.
When he had gone Ginny wandered about the room aimlessly glancing at some magazines, suddenly made aware of her complete uselessness in this vast household. If there were only some niche in which she could establish herself! She would have revelled in helping with the domestic work, feeling that she was fulfilling some purpose, but ever since her arrival Mrs. Hingston had sternly repulsed all her efforts to share in the everyday routine of the house. It would be strange, she thought a little ruefully, if the advent of the Cliffords should bring about the desired change — at least it had made the housekeeper unbend sufficiently to ask her to see to her own room.
Her eye was caught by a pair of driving gloves flung carelessly on an occasional table. They were Luke’s, she realized, and she picked one up, turning it over in her hand. Somehow the broad leather fingers were expressive of the man; even the tiny gap in a seam was typical of his disregard for appearances. For a moment she laid it against her cheek, then, looking around guiltily, she slipped it into her pocket. Later on, in her room, she would repair the small rent and return the glove to its fellow before she was detected.
As she approached her room she heard raised voices from a room across the corridor. Mrs. Clifford’s unmistakably shrill tones predominated and Ginny got the impression that she was taking violent objection to the quarters they had been allocated.
As she passed, Mrs. Clifford appeared in the open doorway. ‘Ah, there you are,’ she said with an air of triumph, ‘the very person I want to see. Have you seen the room that dreadful woman has given to Anthea? I’m perfectly certain old Mr. Kendrick never intended us to get such inferior quarters.’ She caught Ginny’s arm and propelled her into the room. ‘Look at that carpet! It must have been here since the house was built — and the furniture’s so Victorian and awkward, and as for the bed, it’s as hard as a rock.’
Ginny glanced about. The room was certainly old-fashioned, but had a charm of its own and was in keeping with the rest of the house.
It was obvious that Anthea shared her mother’s dissatisfaction. She was seated on the stool before the dressing-table, combing her hair with an ill-used air. ‘I’m simply not used to this sort of set-up,’ she said plaintively. ‘I can’t imagine how Mrs. Hingston could have thought it suitable under the circumstances. After all, although I do say so, I’m not completely unknown. And where exactly is your room?’ she asked, her smoke-blue eyes regarding Ginny in the mirror.
Ginny hesitated, feeling rather awkward as she remembered the elaborate decor of the Peacock Room, and Anthea’s eyes narrowed in sudden suspicion.
‘Well? I suppose you’ve no objection to answering - after all, it’s not a secret, is it?’ she asked acidly.
‘No, of course not,’ Ginny said hurriedly.
‘You must show it to us,’ said Mrs. Clifford. ‘I’d be interested to see if all the rooms are in the same state of dilapidation.’
‘I’d be delighted,’ Ginny faltered, and slowly turned and led the way across the corridor to her room a few doors further along.
The two women surveyed the Peacock Room in stunned silence, while Ginny stood, uncomfortably aware that the opulence of her room was in marked contrast to the Victorian furnishings of Anthea’s room.
‘Well,’ Anthea gave a short laugh, ‘so this is where you’re installed, while I’m fobbed off with that dreadful room! How dare that Hingston woman think it’s good enough!’
‘I expect,’ Ginny said placatingly, ‘it was because I arrived first. ’
This remark seemed to infuriate Mrs. Clifford. ‘To think,’ she said, ‘that if you hadn’t waited to audition for Summer Storm we would have been here ages ago. It’s not,’ she went on, ‘as if you had got the part—’ Then stopped as her daughter turned to her, her eyes flashing with anger.
‘Really, Mother!’ she snapped.
Mrs. Clifford bit her lip, and there was an awkward pause. It was obvious that in her anger she had revealed more than she had intended.
‘It was Mr. Kendrick’s idea that I should have the Peacock Room,’ Ginny explained. ‘I’m perfectly sure Mrs. Hingston wouldn’t have given it to me otherwise.’
Anthea shrugged as though suddenly weary of the argument. ‘I shall speak to Luke about it,’ she said. ‘It’s quite obvious that it’s he who makes the decisions. We shall certainly have to have other arrangements made.’ She said it with an air of finality, and Ginny felt her heart sink. It was perfectly obvious that Anthea didn’t feel there was any need to argue further, she was so certain of gaining her ends where Luke was concerned. Her glance slid downwards, her eyes narrowing speculatively, and Ginny, following the direction of her glance, saw to her mortification that Luke’s glove was clearly visible, protruding from the small pocket of her dress. Then Anthea hustled her mother from the room as Mrs. Clifford showed signs of pursuing her grievance, and it crossed Ginny’s mind that Anthea was ensuring that her mother should not make any further indiscreet remarks.
Left to herself, Ginny drew a chair up to the window and taking out her sewing materials began carefully to stitch the seam of Luke’s glove with a linen thread. It didn’t quite match, she noted ruefully, and hoped he wouldn’t notice. It would be too mortifying if, after his high-handed behaviour towards her, he should detect even this small service. She put the glove in one of the drawers of her bureau, meaning to return it unobtrusively when she got the opportunity, and while her sewing materials were to hand set to work on some of her own clothes.
The day was cold but bright, and when she had folded her clothes away at last, she decided to take a walk through the grounds. It might be as well, she thought, to keep out of the way of the Cliffords until they had settled in. Mrs. Clifford held an unfortunate resemblance to Mrs. Morley at Clarkson’s, with her continual complaints and acrimony.
If only they hadn’t come, she thought regretfully, as she wandered towards the lake. Already their arrival had wrought a change in the atmosphere of the old home: tensions and problems were building up that she felt helpless to deal with. Her years at Clarkson’s had robbed her of all selfassertiveness and her docility, she realized, made her contemptible in Luke Kendrick’s eyes.
She paused by the reed-bordered lake. If only she possessed even a little of Anthea Clifford’s self-confidence, her imperious assumption that only the best was good enough for her. But perhaps, she thought vaguely, that was part of the heritage of one endowed with Anthea’s exceptional beauty.
A small boat was moored half hidden in the reeds, and for an instant she wondered if she might dare to row herself on to the lake. It would be pleasant to float on the still waters, to feel her inadequacies and anxieties slip away in these enchanted surroundings. Regretfully she decided against it. The windows of the house, distant as they were, overlooked the lake. Suppose Mrs. Hingston’s all-seeing eye should detect her: she would undoubtedly report it to Luke and there was the possibility he might object to such a venture, perhaps consider it a liberty on the part of one who was there only on sufferance.
She turned and wandered back towards the house and entered by one of the side doors. A long stone passage led through a labyrinth of pantries and still-rooms. To her surprise, Mrs. Hingston appeared in the doorway of a store-room. When she saw Ginny she hesitated, then said with unusual diffidence, ‘I was wondering, Miss Lovelace, if you could possibly give me a hand after lunch. Mr. Nicholas is having dinner with the family this evening and as it’s so seldom he feels up to it I thought we might perhaps make things just a little bit special.’
Ginny instantly agreed, although she was not quite sure what tasks Mrs. Hingston would like her to undertake.
&n
bsp; But that afternoon the housekeeper’s meaning became clear as Ginny found herself washing crystal in a basin of soapy water while at the other end of a long work-table Mrs. Hingston busied herself with badly tarnished candelabra. As they worked together the housekeeper seemed to lose her taciturnity and began to speak of her early days at Falcon’s Keep when she had first come there as a young girl. It was obvious that her whole interests were devoted to the family and Ginny, listening to her nostalgic reminiscences of other days, began to sense something of the housekeeper’s loneliness and frustration.
‘Mrs. Mark Kendrick was a real beauty,’ she said proudly, ‘with masses of dark hair and a complexion that didn’t need any touching up. In those days we had parties ever so often. Then when the mistress died Mr. Mark - that was the boys’ father - gave up going around and about altogether, though he’d been gay enough in his own way. Very like Mr. Rikki, all outgoing and full of fun! He died abroad while the boys were still at school, and things were never the same after that.’
She stopped her polishing and gazed ahead and said, as though she had forgotten Ginny’s presence, ‘What Falcon’s Keep needs is a mistress: someone able to bring back the old days and be a fitting bride for Mr. Luke.’
Ginny, her hands immersed in hot soapy water, felt a sudden bitterness. So this was what was behind the housekeeper’s friendliness! It was quite obvious that her special efforts in connection with dinner that evening were not because Mr. Nicholas would be present but rather because Anthea’s arrival had opened up vistas for this woman who had such a fierce nostalgia for the grandeur of past days. Anthea with her rare good looks and her air of assurance and poise would be an obvious choice as Luke’s future bride in the eyes of the old housekeeper. Yet in spite of the fact that she was only too well aware of her own inadequacies, Ginny felt her heart swamped by a feeling of desolation. Her help in the preparations for the dinner was desired only as a means of furthering Mrs. Hingston’s ends. She was in fact helping to set the scene which would be a background for Anthea’s beauty. The candelabrum which the housekeeper was so industriously polishing was designed to hold candles that would cast a glow on silver and enhance Anthea’s beauty. Luke, without being aware of it, would associate the new graciousness in their lives with Anthea’s arrival.
Falcon's Keep Page 8
