Good afternoon, Lady Harecroft, Diana said.
The old lady turned to survey her, a wry smile lighting her features. Good afternoon, young lady. Have you come to keep me in order?
Oh, no, my lady. Mr Harecroft senior bade me greet you and make you comfortable in the staff dining room. He will join you directly.
Her ladyship chuckled. And I am to be prevented from wandering all over the shop, is that not so?
My lady?
Oh, you do not need to answer me. I know my grandson. But tell me, what do you think of this silk? She plucked at a length of the material to show Diana.
It is very fine.
That may be so, but is it worth the exorbitant price I believe was paid for it?
Diana was in a quandary. The desire to give an honest opinion did battle with her need to be diplomatic and she strove to find an answer that would satisfy both. I think it might be a little overpriced, my lady, but in todays market, with everyone vying to be seen to advantage for the coronation, it is selling well.
Exactly what I said, Stephen put in.
The old lady smiled and pulled herself to her feet. Escort me, Miss Bywater. We can have a little chat before my grandson joins us. She took Dianas arm and together they made their way to a small room at the back of the ground floor that had been set aside for the staff to eat the mid-day meal they brought with them. It also had a fireplace and facilities for making tea. Once her ladyship had been seated, Diana set the kettle on the fire and stirred the embers to make it blaze.
How do you like working for Harecrofts, Miss Bywater?
Very much. I am grateful to you for affording me the opportunity to do something interesting.
My grandson tells me you are quick to learn.
I try to be.
And Stephen sings your praises constantly.
Does he? The kettle boiled and Diana used the distraction of making tea to cover her confusion. What had Stephen been saying? My lady, I hope you do not think I have set out to She stumbled over what she wanted to say.
No, of course not. Ah, here is John. She turned to her grandson. John, you are paying far too much for your silk these days.
It is the going rate, for the best quality, Grandmother. I cannot afford to drop standards. Besides, people are prepared to pay good money to appear in the latest fabrics for the festivities. He sat down next to her. But you did not come here to talk about the price of silk, did you?
No, I did not. I decided I had mouldered long enough in the country. I came to attend the coronation and to give you notice that I intend to have a house party.
Oh? One bushy eyebrow lifted.
I am to reach the grand age of ninety next month, as you know
You wont if you insist on racketing about town.
His grandmother ignored him and continued as if he had not spoken. And I wish to mark the occasion with a party. She accepted a cup of tea from Diana, who also put one in front of John and turned to leave them. Stay, the old lady commanded, waving an ebony walking stick at her. Pour a cup for yourself.
Grandmother, what are you talking about? John asked, answering Dianas questioning look with a nod. You cannot possibly have a party. It will be too much for you.
I decide what is too much for me. Besides, we have a houseful of servants at Borstead Hall, idle half the timeit wont hurt them to stir themselves. Alicia will arrange it. I want all the family to stay the weekend. Friends and acquaintances will be invited for the Saturday only.
Why? he asked, mystified.
Why? How often does a woman reach the age of ninety and still be in possession of all her faculties? I fully intend to be a hundred, but just in case I do not achieve it, I will have my celebration on Saturday, July the twenty-first.
What does my father say about this?
Nothing. She smiled mischievously. He knows he will lead a much more peaceful life if he humours me. And William does like a peaceful life, looking after the estate and his beloved horses.
And Aunt Alicia?
Alicia too. I mean to have a really big day, with my family and friends around me, plenty to eat and drink and fireworks to round it off.
It will kill you.
Then I will die happy.
Diana was beginning to feel uncomfortable; she did not want to be a witness to a family argument, and she did have work to do. She stood up to leave, just as Stephen joined them. Good, theres tea, he said.
Diana fetched another cup and saucer from the cupboard and poured tea for him.
Great-Grandmama, will you ask Miss Bywater to your party? he asked, making Diana gasp.
Of course. The young lady will be welcome.
You knew about it? his father asked him.
Great-Grandmama told me when she arrived. I am looking forward to it.
And who is going to look after the shop if we all dash off to Borstead Hall? John demanded. Miss Bywater has to work on Saturdays and so do you.
On this occasion, I expect you to make an exception. This from Lady Harecroft.
Oh, no, Diana put in. You must not do that. It would set a bad example.
Do not tell me what I must not do, girl, her ladyship snapped.
Diana blushed furiously. I beg your pardon. I did not mean to be rude.
Do you not care to come? Stephen asked, aggrieved. I am sure you will enjoy it.
I am sure I would, but I cannot leave my father while I go into the country.
Bring him too, her ladyship said. It is time we all met him.
I am afraid he is not well enough, my lady. Diana was beginning to panic. Her father was not yet stable enough to pay calls, and a party where there was bound to be wine and punch might set him off again. Flattered as she was to be asked, and much as she would have liked a break from routine, to dress up, live in a little splendour and pretend that her life had never had that treacherous downhill slide, she could not risk it.
Miss Bywaters father is an invalid, John said. She explained about that when she first came to us.
So she did. But no matter, we can arrange for him to be looked after for a day or two. Problems like that are not insurmountable.
I am sure he would not agree, Diana said. The old ladys family might defer to her, but on this matter she was going to find herself thwarted. She would not subject her father to the indignity of being looked after, as if he were a child packed off to the nursery when his presence became inconvenient. And she did not know why Stephen was so anxious she should be one of the party.
I think you must allow Miss Bywater to decline without bullying her, Grandmother, John said. And you know, we are very busy and it is not altogether convenient for me to drop everything to take you home when you arrive unexpectedly.
You dont need to. Her voice held a note of asperity. Richard brought me. He has gone to the House of Commons and then he is coming back for me.
House of Commons? Mr Harecroft senior demanded. Since when has he interested himself in politics?
You must ask him that. I am not his keeper.
Diana had been inching her way towards the door in order to escape and was reaching for its handle when it was opened and she found herself half-hidden behind it, sucking a little finger that had been caught in the handle.
You must ask him that. I am not his keeper.
Diana had been inching her way towards the door in order to escape and was reaching for its handle when it was opened and she found herself half-hidden behind it, sucking a little finger that had been caught in the handle.
The newcomer turned to shut the door and saw her. I beg pardon, I did not see you hiding there.
She met his blue-eyed gaze and something inside her turned a somersault. He was a much bigger version of Stephen; he was taller, his shoulders broader, the red-gold of his hair more pronounceda characteristic she concluded all the family had to a greater or lesser degreehis eyes were bluer and his mouth fuller. She realised with a little stab of guilt that he made his brother look drab and colourless, particularly as in contrast to Stephens grey suit, he was wearing a brown frock coat, light brown trousers and a pale fawn cravat. It was not only his size and his clothes, his presence dominated the room. He exuded power and self-assurance. She could easily imagine him as a serving officer, in full command of his men. I was not hiding, I was about to leave, she said, finding her voice at last.
Oh, please do not leave on my account. He stopped suddenly, unable to take his eyes from her face. She seemed so familiar he felt he ought to know her. She was plainly dressed and wore an unbecoming cap that hid most of her hair, but her complexion was flawless and her eyes reminded him of the plumage of a dove, a soft blue-grey. Her lips were pink and firm and at that moment were sucking a little finger; it was an incredibly sensuous act, made more so because she appeared totally unaware of the effect she was having. Does it hurt?
She took it from her mouth to answer him. No, it is nothing.
Richard, may I present Miss Diana Bywater, Stephen said, stepping between them. Miss Bywater, my brother, Richard.
How do you do? he said, wondering why Stephen found it necessary to introduce someone who was so obviously a servant. It did not bother him, but his family were sticklers for form.
She bowed her head. Mr Harecroft.
He nodded towards the table where the teapot and the used cups and saucers were evidence of the refreshment they had been enjoying before he arrived. Are you going to pour me a cup of tea?
I am afraid it must be cold by now. I will make a fresh pot if you like.
Miss Bywater, you have those accounts to complete before the end of the working day, John reminded her.
Accounts? Richard queried. Oh, you must be the young lady who had the temerity to apply for a mans job. I heard all about it from Great-Grandmother.
She smiled. Yes, though why it should be called a mans job I do not know. It is mental work and does not require strength. I do exactly the same work as the gentlemen clerks without concessions to my gender. Now, please excuse me, I must return to it. Good afternoon, Lady Harecroft. She turned to go and Stephen sprang to open the door for her.
She thanked him and escaped to the sanctuary of her own room. Arriving breathless, she shut the door behind her and stood leaning against it. The encounter with the elder of the two brothers had shaken her. She did not know what she had expected, but she felt she had been buffeted by a whirlwind, and all in the space of a few fleeting minutes.
She crossed to the window just in time to see her ladyship being handed into her carriage by Richard. He was taking enormous trouble to make sure she was comfortable before getting in himself. She watched as the carriage made its way down the busy street and disappeared round the corner, before returning to the ledger she had left an hour before.
It was difficult to concentrate. Quite apart from that strange encounter with Mr Richard Harecroft, the invitation to the party, the assumption that she would foist the care of her father on to someone else in order to enjoy herself with a group of people who were materially and socially way above her, vexed her. She cared too much for her father to do that to him. She would have to be firm, but would that cost her her job? She could not afford to lose it, for where else could she find something so congenial and so well paid? Without her wages, she and her father would sink even lower in the social scale.
Stephen came into the room and sat on the corner of the table at which she worked. Do not let my brother upset you, Miss Bywater.
He did not upset me, whatever gave you that idea?
Good. Every family is supposed to have a black sheep and I suppose he is ours.
He did not look like a sheep to me.
No, perhaps I should have said wolf.
Not that either, she said, though when she remembered those blue eyes almost devouring her, she did wonder. More like a lion with that mane of golden hair.
Hmm. He seemed to consider this and then dismissed the idea. Whichever it is, we do not need to see much of him at Borstead Hall. He lives in the dower house.
He lives with your great-grandmother?
No, Great-Grandmama lives with my grandfather in the big house. He says she is too old to live by herself and he needs to keep an eye on her, so she told Richard he could use the dower house. He shares it with a couple of penniless artists and his mi He stopped suddenly, his voice so twisted with bitterness, she looked at him sharply, but he quickly recovered himself. I do not suppose we shall see anything of them.
She wondered what he had been about to let slip; it sounded as if he were going to say mistress, but surely his brother would not live with such a one so close to the family home? What does your great-grandmother think of his friends?
Oh, she does not mind them. She has a soft spot for Richard.
He seems very fond of her.
Yes, she is the only one who can get Richard to do what she wants.
She realised suddenly that he was jealous of his brother, even though he enjoyed more of his fathers favour. It was all to do with the old lady. I wish you had not asked her ladyship to invite me to her party, she said.
Why not? We will have a splendid time.
We will not, because I cannot accept the invitation.
Why not?
I have to work. And I cannot leave my father.
He is an invalid, isnt he? I did not know that until you mentioned it today. Are you always so secretive?
I am not secretive, she said, feeling the colour rising in her face. Your father and great-grandmother knew and there has been no reason why I should make a point of telling you. It did not come out in the course of conversation, thats all.
What is the matter with him?
She took a deep breath. He was invalided out of the navy five years ago when he lost his arm and then my mother died and his nerves have been badly affected. It was not really a lie, she told herself, just not the whole truth.
Father can hire a nurse in for him or arrange for him to go into a comfortable nursing home so that he is looked after. If he does, you will come, wont you?
I do not think so. I cannot put Mr Harecroft to the trouble and it upsets Papa if his normal routine is changed.
You are just making excuses. You heard my great-grandmother say she expected us all to go and my father will not go against her. The Dowager Lady Harecroft angry is an awesome sight, I can tell you.
I do not see why she should be angry with me. I am not family.