‘No, she hasn’t, and I haven’t either. I wanted to speak with you first. You’re so clever, in so many ways. I just need guidance on how to go about it. How can I make her tell me the truth? Or give me the name of the man?’
‘I don’t know,’ Alexis muttered, alarm reflected in her eyes, her worry escalating. ‘I don’t think she’ll admit to anything – not yet, at least. Not until she is forced to tell you because she’s really showing. Oh God, whatever are we going to do? Perhaps she has to be taken abroad, hidden away for the next nine months or so. I could help with that for you, Claudia. Oh, does Connie know?’ As she asked this, Alexis felt her chest tighten.
‘No, he doesn’t, because he’s not here, and Lavinia only told me two nights ago. Thank you for offering to take Marietta out of the country, but what do we do about the baby?’ Claudia’s face clouded over with concern.
‘I suppose we would have to get the child adopted.’ Taking hold of Claudia’s arm, Alexis walked her back to the house. ‘Let’s go and have a cup of tea and think about this a bit more … this is a horrendous dilemma.’ She added, ‘I have a headache. A cup of tea will help.’
Once they were back in the conservatory, Claudia pulled the bell rope for Kingsley, the butler, who appeared within a few seconds. ‘Miss Malvern and I would like to have afternoon tea a bit earlier than usual today, Kingsley. If you could bring it to us now, please,’ Claudia said.
He inclined his head. ‘Immediately, Miss Claudia,’ he answered and disappeared.
Claudia sighed. ‘He’s known me since I was fifteen, and he can’t get out of the habit of referring to me as he did then. It’s always Miss Claudia, instead of Mrs Glendenning.’ She half smiled. ‘But Connie doesn’t mind.’
‘Will you tell Connie?’ Alexis asked as she sat down in an armchair.
‘I’m not sure. In the meantime, I’d love to know who the man is, Alexis. I really would. We need to discover if he will marry her.’
‘Who has she seen lately? Surely it must be someone she knows, not a stranger. Who’s been here? Wait a minute, what about Connie’s birthday party in February? Some of his friends were here, as well as his family and yours. And …’ Alexis broke off, a strange expression crossing her face, a look of sudden comprehension in her eyes. ‘“The twerp” was at the party. I had a long conversation with him.’
‘Of course he was there, he’s always around. They’re like brother and sister; they grew up together. They wouldn’t be interested in a … sexual relationship. I’m really quite certain about that.’ Claudia’s voice was strong, very firm, her expression positive.
Alexis shook her head vehemently. ‘Don’t say that! Things can suddenly happen. Unexpectedly. A look exchanged, a revelation, a different attitude settling in …’ Alexis nodded, as if reassuring herself of something. Her eyes narrowed slightly when she gazed at her friend, and reminded her, ‘Don’t forget why we’ve called him “the twerp” between ourselves.’
A frown furrowed Claudia’s smooth brow and instantly her dark-brown eyes widened. ‘Because he is so eager to please, so kind and nice. Too good to be true, Lavinia and I thought. So we gave him a funny nickname, called him something he wasn’t.’
‘That was it,’ Alexis answered. ‘But Anthony Gordon is who he is, very natural, and a very nice young man. And in the three years I’ve known him, he hasn’t changed one iota. And that’s why I’m changing my mind. You’re right. He would never do anything to risk hurting Marietta. She is like his sister – and anyway, he’s a gentleman.’
‘Gentleman or not, whoever the man is didn’t think to protect Marietta. He has taken her virtue and done nothing to prevent this scandal. He couldn’t have used any sort of protection,’ Claudia pointed out.
‘Obviously. Let’s strike him out. The twerp, I mean,’ Alexis said.
‘Done. Now, how are we going to get her to tell us who she lost her virginity to? Please tell me that, Alexis.’
‘I will think it through, think of the right way to do it, what to say and how to approach her. And I will speak to her, Claudia. Don’t forget, I spent six months being treated by Doctor Sigmund Freud.’ Alexis smiled. ‘I learned quite a lot from him, how to talk through difficult issues. Just trust me.’
‘Oh I do, I do,’ Claudia replied, unexpected tears misting her eyes. ‘That’s why I sent Yates to bring you sooner. Thank you, thank you so much, Alexis. This will ruin her if it comes out.’
TWELVE
The very first time Alexis had come to Courtland Priory with Sebastian, she had gone for early morning walks every day, acquainting herself with the gardens and grounds, and with the rolling Gloucestershire countryside. The estate was beautifully landscaped. She had also enjoyed sitting amongst the ruins of the monks’ priory. Ever since, as she had this morning, she had walked over to sit amongst the ancient stones.
She and Claudia had been disappointed last night when Marietta did not come to supper because she did not feel well.
The message was delivered by Lavinia, who actually thought Marietta was being truthful. ‘She looks pale, a bit depleted, and thinks she has caught a cold,’ Lavinia had explained.
Before Lavinia’s arrival, Claudia had warned Alexis to behave as if she knew nothing. ‘I just don’t want it mentioned at all. Little pigs have big ears, and so do walls.’
Alexis had agreed. The less said the better at this moment in time. And God forbid if any of the staff overheard anything.
Now, leaning back against a piece of broken wall, Alexis closed her eyes, thinking about the problem, yet at the same time just enjoying the warmth of the sun on her face.
Today was 19 June, a Thursday. Tomorrow Sebastian’s sister, Aunt Thea to the girls, would arrive in the afternoon to spend the weekend at the house. Claudia’s husband Connie was going to be caught up in a bank event in London and would not be at Courtland until Saturday, Claudia had explained.
Alexis realized the easiest thing to do would be to speak to Marietta today, or early on Friday, before the others arrived. But how would she approach the matter? How to even bring it up? Claudia was depending on her to get the truth, and Alexis did not want to let her down. She believed Marietta might be more likely to confide in Alexis than her older sister, who had brought her up. Less embarrassing, perhaps.
‘Good morning, Alexis.’
Alexis sat up with a jerk, and saw none other than the subject of her thoughts standing there in the priory ruins.
‘Goodness, Marietta, you startled me! I didn’t hear you coming,’ Alexis exclaimed, sitting up even straighter, and smiling at her. Marietta looked pretty in a crisp white cotton blouse and a navy skirt that fell to her ankles. ‘Please, come and sit down with me. It’s been ages since I’ve seen you. I was sorry to miss you at dinner last night.’
Smiling back, Marietta stepped towards the broken stones and seated herself on a small wall opposite Alexis. ‘I know. You’ve been in Kent, and I miss you, too. I am worried about you, Alexis. I hope you’re feeling better.’
‘I am, yes …’ Alexis paused, let out a sigh. ‘I’m afraid I do still miss your father though.’
‘So do I,’ Marietta answered quietly. ‘But he’s here, you know, deep in my heart, as I know he is in yours.’
Alexis simply nodded, her throat suddenly choked up.
Marietta said, ‘I feel his presence here at Courtland at times, and I think he’s just in another room where I can’t see him. It’s comforting.’
Alexis stared at Sebastian’s youngest daughter, who looked so like him with her fair hair and large grey eyes, amazed by her comments for a moment. Then she said, ‘You’ve just explained that you feel as I do, Marietta.’ Alexis blinked back the incipient tears and noticed that his daughter did too.
Changing the subject, Marietta said, ‘Aunt Thea is coming tomorrow, but perhaps Claudia told you already.’
‘Yes, she did. And she’s hoping that Lady Jane and Lord Reggie will be able to make it over on Saturday for supper, and stay th
e night. It will be nice to see them.’
‘Like old times,’ Marietta said, and regretted the remark when she saw the tears welling in Alexis’s eyes. Clearing her throat, Marietta asked, ‘When will you start living in London again?’
‘I don’t know. In a few months, perhaps. Maybe not until next year. I miss certain things in London. On the other hand, being in the quiet countryside has been healing, very helpful.’
‘I hope you come here more often, Alexis. I love you and I feel you’re part of the family.’
Touched by her words, Alexis reached out and took hold of Marietta’s hand. ‘And I love you, too.’ She sat gazing at the seventeen-year-old girl, thinking how lovely she was. She would have been this girl’s stepmother had Sebastian lived. In which case the current situation would certainly have been her concern. She studied Marietta and kissed her cheek. It was hard to see any obvious signs she was carrying a child. Had Lavinia been mistaken? Maybe she had had a bout of food poisoning?
‘You’re staring at me,’ Marietta said, half smiling. ‘Do I have soot on my face?’
‘No, of course not, darling. I was just thinking how beautiful you are. And I’ve just remembered it’s your birthday next month. You’re going to be eighteen! How time flies.’
Marietta nodded. ‘Claudia wanted to give me a birthday party here at Courtland, perhaps even a dance. But I’m not sure.’
Now, suddenly, Alexis saw an opening to get to the subject of men in general, although she did not believe she could accost this gentle, loving girl and ask her about her life and the possibility of being pregnant. She was so sweet, vulnerable. Alexis just didn’t have the heart to probe or accuse her.
Finally, Alexis said, ‘However, your sister does know how to give a wonderful party, especially a supper dance. Better than anyone. I loved being at Connie’s birthday party in February. I do believe you did too, Marietta. You certainly appeared to be enjoying yourself.’
‘Yes, you’re right. Everybody had a good time.’
‘I must say, you were gorgeous in your pale-blue taffeta gown and those superb aquamarines, with every young man falling all over you, asking you to dance.’
Marietta suddenly turned bright pink, and exclaimed, ‘They did, and I felt a little awkward … they made such a fuss … so silly. I thought all the other girls would hate me.’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that. Anyway, sometimes it’s rather nice to be the centre of attention – rather flattering, actually.’
Alexis eyed Marietta intently, but there was not a flicker of worry in her eyes. Her expression had not changed. Normal, Alexis decided. She’s herself, no sign of worry, and certainly there seems to be no extra weight on her.
Alexis felt some of her concern easing away. Perhaps Marietta had really had food poisoning, or just an upset stomach, not morning sickness at all. Maybe Lavinia had made an error. After all, Claudia’s sisters were not worldly wise or sophisticated. They had led quite a protected life, and had been in mourning for their father, with little socializing until recently.
Realizing that Marietta was staring at her, Alexis swiftly said, ‘I was just wondering whether you would be going with Aunt Thea to Scotland this year? You’ve always enjoyed your holidays with her, haven’t you?’
Marietta nodded, and said, ‘Yes, Lavinia has, too.’
Standing up, Alexis straightened her grey skirt. ‘I think perhaps we ought to go back to the house. Claudia may well be already downstairs in the breakfast room, waiting for us.’
‘We had better go,’ Marietta agreed, and also rose.
As the two women walked back towards the house, Alexis suddenly said, ‘Thinking of Scotland reminds me of the Gordons. Is Dukey coming on Saturday?’ Marmaduke Gordon had been one of Sebastian’s closest friends.
There was a moment of silence before Marietta spoke. ‘Claudia hasn’t mentioned him.’
‘Perhaps he will, and perhaps Anthony will come with his father. I like Anthony very much; he’s such a nice young man,’ Alexis confided.
‘He has to go to India,’ Marietta suddenly said. ‘With his father.’
Immediately noticing the slight wobble in Marietta’s voice, Alexis glanced at her. She saw the sudden paleness of Marietta’s face. Oh my God, she thought, could there be something between her and the twerp after all?
Alexis and Marietta walked into the breakfast room to find Clarence and Lavinia eating boiled eggs and drinking tea.
After greetings were exchanged, Alexis and Marietta helped themselves to the same breakfast as the others and poured themselves some tea. The pretty bone china and gleaming silverware made a welcoming display on the highly polished mahogany table.
Marietta turned to Claudia with an apologetic look. ‘I went for a walk earlier and found Alexis sitting in the priory ruins. I had forgotten her fondness for early walks too. So I sat with her and we had a lovely chat. I’m afraid we lost track of the time. Sorry we’re late.’
Claudia smiled. ‘You’re not really. Papa’s rule was breakfast from eight to ten, and no need to wait for anyone else, and everyone serves themselves.’ She glanced at Alexis. ‘I’m glad you had some nice company.’ As she spoke, she raised a brow questioningly.
A little later that morning, Claudia went looking for Alexis and soon found her in the library reading. As she came into the room, she said, ‘Can we talk?’
‘Of course.’ Alexis put down her book.
‘What happened in the ruins – I mean, was anything else discussed?’ Claudia asked, closing the door, walking over to join Alexis.
‘No, it wasn’t, I’m afraid. She’s such a lovely girl, so sweet and understanding. I just couldn’t start probing, asking the relevant questions. It just seemed too awkward.’
‘I know what you mean. She’s vulnerable and seems very innocent.’
‘To be honest with you, Claudia, I’m not sure she is pregnant. Perhaps Lavinia has made a mistake … made the wrong assumption.’
Claudia sighed. ‘Maybe you’re right. I certainly hope so.’
After a moment’s hesitation, Alexis told her about the way Marietta’s voice had wobbled and how she had paled when she spoke about Anthony and his father going to India.
‘Oh God, don’t tell me it’s the twerp! How could it be? Maybe she’s just upset because her closest friend is going so far away. What do you think, Alexis?’
‘Anything is possible. And I won’t let you down. I just have to find a nice, gentle way to talk to her, perhaps tomorrow. I have to handle this carefully and with tact.’
‘You might not have to do it at all. His father is coming on Saturday night to join Aunt Thea. You know how close Marmaduke and Thea are – always have been, for donkey’s years. Then after Belinda, his wife, died, they became inseparable. For eight years now. I know for a fact he’s asked her to marry him several times.’
Alexis looked puzzled and said, ‘What are you getting at?’
‘Knowing Marmaduke Gordon the way I do, because he was one of my father’s close friends, and knowing his nature, I think he might be able to help. He’s a decent man.’
‘Are you suggesting Anthony might tell his father about Marietta’s plight? Has already told him?’
‘No, not yet. We don’t know if the twerp even knows, and I don’t think he will confide in his father straightaway. No boy is going to want to own up to this, when it’s not what anyone would hope for. But if it is him, we need to ensure Dukey can help us.’
‘So what shall I do?’ Alexis sounded perplexed.
‘Well, if you find the right opportunity to speak with her, you might plunge in. However, if Dukey Gordon has any inkling of it—’ Claudia stopped abruptly as the door opened and the butler appeared.
‘Excuse me, Miss Claudia, but Cook is ready to see you now about Saturday’s supper menu. If it’s a convenient time, that is.’
‘Thank you, Kingsley,’ Claudia answered. ‘I will come to the kitchen in a few minutes.’
The butler incline
d his head and left the library.
Claudia gave Alexis a very pointed look when she said to her quietly, ‘Be prepared for anything on Saturday. I think we might be in for a rocky ride.’
THIRTEEN
‘I would jump up and down and clap my hands in the air with joy, if I weren’t such an old fogey,’ Henry Malvern cried, his sudden laughter filling the air, echoing around the building site.
James Falconer laughed with him and exclaimed, ‘But you’re not an old fogey, sir, if you don’t mind me saying so. And I have the same feeling.’
Malvern smiled, looked around at their surroundings, the shell of what would be shops and a central promenade, and observed, ‘And what a really good feeling it is to stand in the middle of this arcade and realize it will be finished in a few months. It’s a miracle on your part, James.’
‘Not really, Mr Malvern. The builders up here have been great and have kept to their timetable – better than any we’ve had down south. The architect hasn’t let one thing slide, and we mustn’t forget Miss Parkinson’s constant attention. She has an eagle eye.’
‘I know. And I’m aware how hard everyone has worked.’
The two men stood in the centre of the arcade in Hull, which was indeed almost ready. They planned a winter opening. The solid outer brick walls and the roof were in place, as was the wide alleyway down the middle, already covered in flagstones.
There would be ten shops, five on each side of the arcade. Mostly they were for women’s day clothes, evening gowns, shoes, handbags, jewellery, and hats. Men were catered for with a shop for ready-made tuxedos and evening suits, another for evening dress shirts. The tenth shop was to be for James’s sister Rossi, who had now finished a whole new collection of shawls, scarves and capes. James was paying the rent for her and hoped it would allow her to spread her wings.
The architect who had designed the shops had made them the same size. The builders were now working on one side, had five structures that were almost finished. James had asked the construction company to put on extra men for speed, and they had obliged.
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