“You’re right, it’s not the best place because of its location. But Mrs. Skelton, the owner of the house, and Aunt Alice have a friend in common, and the flat was newly done and available.” Victoria shook her head. “I suppose we didn’t think it out properly, to be honest, no other reason really. It was convenient then. Perhaps I also have to have a new address as well as a new boss.”
“I believe you do. In the meantime, I want you to promise me you’ll stay here with me until you go to Cavendon for the shoot. I won’t be able to sleep at night, worrying about this man Dayton.”
For a moment Victoria did not respond, taken aback by Greta’s suggestion. When she looked at Greta’s face and saw the worry in her dark eyes, she instantly nodded. “I’ll do that, Greta. I’ll just go back there to pack a bag the day I leave for the shoot.”
“Thank you, Victoria, that eases my mind considerably. Now, Nina always leaves lots of tempting things for my supper, as you well know.” Rising, Greta walked over to the refrigerator, and looked inside. “Aha! A cottage pie, poached salmon steaks, Scotch salmon, a quiche. What do you fancy?”
“I can’t resist cottage pie,” Victoria answered. “I’d love that, please.”
“I’ll join you. All I have to do is pop it in a hot oven for thirty minutes to reheat, since it’s already cooked.”
* * *
As she busied herself in the kitchen, turning on the oven, taking various food out of the refrigerator, Greta spoke casually to Victoria, chatting about the Festival of Britain, planned for the coming year, and other things. She had decided to let the matter of Phil Dayton drop. Why contemplate him, chew over the problem all evening? Anyway, they had come to the same conclusions. Victoria must leave the photo agency and move to this area of London, to make her life all that much easier.
At one moment, as she put the cottage pie in the oven, Greta wondered whether Elise might like to share her flat around the corner. A lot of young women did that these days. It halved the rent, and provided a little company if required. But perhaps Elise preferred to be alone. This matter would have to wait.
As the food was being heated, Greta and Victoria set the table in the dining room. “I love the way you have decorated this room,” Victoria told Greta as she placed white linen mats on the table. “One day, when I’m married and have my own home, I shall have a blue-and-white room like this. Or perhaps a sitting room in these colors.”
“I’ve always loved them myself,” Greta said, smiling at Victoria. “In fact, I’m planning to redecorate my bedroom this year, and I’ve found a really wonderful French toile de Jouy fabric, white with a blue pattern. I find the stories the toiles tell quite amazing, sort of amusing in a way.”
A little later, during supper, Victoria confided, “I like working for Melinda Johns a lot. She never tells me how to shoot a story. I just get a short memo…” Victoria paused, laughed. “She gives me the barest instructions.”
Looking over at her, Greta asked, “What do you mean?”
“A one-line message most of the time, such as ‘This is a profile. Serious.’ or ‘Have fun with these clothes.’ Sometimes she wants ‘Edgy’ or ‘Fantasy.’ And I love it, because she leaves it up to me.”
Greta nodded. “I understand, and you have that marvelous talent to shoot the most innovative and unique pictures. Actually I think you must have a very vivid imagination, which comes into play a lot.”
“I try,” Victoria answered, sounding modest but looking pleased at Greta’s praise. “I look for crazy places for backdrops.”
“I bet you’ve already planned the Cavendon shoot, haven’t you?” Greta remarked, her eyes twinkling knowingly.
Victoria laughed. “A little bit. Obviously, I don’t want to do the standard shoot. You know, the Honorable Alicia Ingham Stanton at Cavendon, her family’s stately home. Too staid, I believe. And there are some really odd, even dramatic spots on the estate. I’ll probably choose mostly outside settings, and perhaps only a couple of indoor pictures, but even they have to be … offbeat in some way.”
* * *
Greta lay propped up against the pillows in her bed, as usual reading for a while before going to sleep. But she found her concentration diluted tonight, and finally laid the book on the bed. She glanced around the bedroom, as always enjoying its warmth and soft, rosy glow. She had decorated it in peach and cream, and the carpet was a deep burgundy. She thought this mix of colors was relaxing, comforting, and created a sense of tranquility.
A small sigh escaped as her thoughts settled on Victoria, glad that she had come to see her earlier, and that she was safe and sound across the corridor in the guest bedroom.
This man pestering Victoria was troublesome, but Victoria was practical and instinctively cautious, and Greta was confident she would leave the agency and immediately find another flat. It was the right kind of disappearing act, and would put an end to his access to her. She doubted he would hurt her; on the other hand, no one ever really knew what might happen.
Earlier, as they had cleaned up after supper, Greta had reminded Victoria that Elise always came to have breakfast on her day off. Which was tomorrow. Before Greta could even pose the question of taking Elise into her confidence, Victoria had announced that she was going to put Elise in the picture and explain why she had spent the night at Phene Street.
Greta lay back, closed her eyes, drifting with her myriad thoughts for a while, and as she became drowsy, she sat up, turned out the bedside lamp, and settled down to sleep. It had been quite a day in more ways than one.
* * *
The following morning, Elise arrived promptly at seven o’clock, bright and breezy and full of happy smiles. She found Greta in the kitchen, and after hugging her, kissing her cheeks, she said, “I wrote a really good story last night. I even got a congratulatory nod from the news editor, who actually smiled at me. Rather proudly, I thought.”
Greta laughed. “Congratulations, darling. I know those gruff men sitting around with their sleeves rolled up, working hard at getting out a paper, can be awfully tough, and especially with women journalists.”
Elise nodded, laughed hollowly. “Who are very few and far between. You don’t see many skirts in Fleet Street. But I must say, the chaps I work with treat me nicely, don’t give me a hard time. I think perhaps because they realize I’m serious about my job, and I’ve always got my head down typing, anyway.”
“If you looked up sometimes, you might see an interesting man.”
“Listen who’s talking! You’ve never had time to find a man, because you’re the Career Woman Supremo.”
Greta burst out laughing. “I’ve never heard that expression. ‘Supremo’ indeed. But I do have some wonderful news.”
Elise sat down at the kitchen table. “Tell me. You sound very excited.”
“I am. I became Cecily’s partner in Swann yesterday. We made a deal on the phone. And by the way, nobody knows, so we must keep it quiet for the time being.”
“I understand and I’m thrilled for you,” Elise exclaimed, jumping up, hugging her sister tightly. “I know you’ve been hankering after this for a long time. How did it suddenly come about?”
“We’ve discussed it on and off for the last few weeks, but I thought Cecily had shelved the idea altogether, and let it go. Then out of the blue, she brought it up yesterday when we were discussing next year’s summer collection. She suddenly said that if I wanted to invest in Swann I could become her partner. I said, ‘yes,’ so loudly I think she was startled. Anyway, she’s putting it in the works, and we’ll sign the papers in a few weeks. Imagine, Elise … I’m going to actually own part of a business, and the one I love. Swann Couture, now to be called just Swann.”
Elise beamed at her. “I think this calls for a celebratory dinner, even a small party. My treat.”
“Thank you, that’s so sweet of you, Elise. But not just yet. Once it’s signed, sealed, and delivered maybe. However, I’m far too superstitious to celebrate before those dotted lin
es are filled in with signatures.”
At this moment Victoria came into the kitchen. “Good morning, Greta! Elise!”
Elise swung around, a startled expression on her face. “Victoria! What a nice surprise.”
“I spent the night here. Greta was being motherly,” Victoria said. “I’ll explain everything in a minute. Obviously, you’ve just heard the great news, Greta and Ceci becoming partners.”
“Yes, I have, and I’m over the moon about it.”
“So am I.” Victoria sat down next to Elise, kissed her on the cheek. “Have you seen Charlie?”
Elise shook her head. “He wasn’t in the office last night. Actually, I think he’s taken a few days off. He’s got a tough deadline for his new book.”
“Oh, that’s right, he mentioned that to me recently,” Victoria replied.
Greta turned around from the stove and asked, “Do you both want a bit of everything? Scrambled eggs, bacon, and fried tomatoes? Plus toast and coffee?”
“That sounds scrumptious,” Victoria answered.
Elise grinned at her sister. “You know I love everything you cook.”
Within minutes Greta had served them their plates of food and joined them at the table. They chatted about unimportant things as they ate, relishing their breakfast. It was only when they had finally finished their food that Victoria explained to Elise why she had stayed the night at Phene Street.
Elise looked shocked as she listened to Victoria. When the tale was finished, she exclaimed, “I met Phil Dayton once, when I came to pick you up at PhotoElite. Don’t you remember?”
“Yes, I do. You chatted to him about Merle Oberon, as I remember. He’s a big fan of hers.”
“He seemed quite pleasant, just an ordinary kind of young man, not particularly good-looking, but not unattractive, average sort … well, that’s the impression I got.”
“You’ve described him exactly, Elise, but he’s a pest, and frankly, parking his car in Belsize Park Gardens has become somewhat creepy.”
“It is, yes,” Elise agreed. “And I fully understand why you don’t want to confront him. It could set him off in some sort of way. So what are you going to do? Leave the agency?”
“Yes, I am. I have one assignment I want to do, photographing Alicia at Cavendon, then I’ll give Mike my notice.”
“That sounds exciting. I bet it’s for Elegance Magazine, the shoot, I mean.”
“It is.”
Greta said, “I told Victoria last night that Melinda Johns is a big fan, and I know Victoria can have a job at the magazine anytime she wants. So she can easily leave the agency. And I’ve suggested she move out of her flat, find something around here, so we’re all closer together.”
“You can always camp out with me until you find a new place,” Elise said warmly, smiling at Victoria.
“Thanks, Elise, but I promised Greta I’d stay here for the moment.”
“Nowhere better,” Elise answered, and squeezed Victoria’s arm. “We’ll help you find somewhere nice and I’ll help you to move.”
“Thank you. Now, changing the subject matter, you haven’t said anything about the date you had with Declan. How did it go?”
Sitting back in her chair, Elise looked at her friend intently. After a moment, she said, “I loved every minute of being with him. He’s loaded with that irresistible Irish charm. He’s warm, funny, and frankly, if I keep on seeing him, I’m going to fall for him. And hard.”
Before Victoria could comment, Greta pushed back her chair and stood up. “I’ve got to go to the office, girls. I’ll see you both later, whenever.” And with a cheery wave she left the kitchen.
Victoria leaned closer to Elise and said, “That’s how I thought it would be. You’re just made for each other. I bet he was all over you, wasn’t he?”
When Elise remained silent, Victoria said, “Well, wasn’t he?”
“Of course. We both were. We just clicked from the first minute. We’ve made another date for later this week, but I think I won’t see him again after that.”
Victoria frowned. “Why not? I don’t understand.”
“The few times I’ve met him before with you, I had a certain sense of him. I was aware of his immense confidence. It’s a unique kind of self-assurance. The other night I spotted that again. It’s as if he knows he’s someone special. And he is, actually. It’s not that he’s arrogant, I don’t mean that. I can’t quite explain it, Vicki.”
“I’ve seen that in him, too,” Victoria answered. “He doesn’t swagger, nothing remotely like that. But he sort of … fills a room.” There was a pause and Victoria searched her friend’s face. “Why does that put you off?”
“It doesn’t, Vicki. But I realize that Declan has big plans for himself. I don’t know how good an actor he is, and he’s only had small parts until now. Apparently, he’s the second male lead in his new film, and there’s already a lot of noise about his performance. There’s talk on the street about him.”
“That’s good, isn’t it?” Victoria stared hard at Elise, looking puzzled yet again.
“Absolutely. I’m happy for him. However, I’ve never met anybody so focused, so relentless about making it. He’s tremendously driven and furiously ambitious. You’ll see, he’ll end up in Hollywood. Declan aims to be a big movie star.”
Victoria was silent for a few seconds, and then she reached out, took hold of Elise’s hand. “I understand. You’re worried you’ll become involved with him, and he with you, and then when Hollywood calls, he’ll go at once.”
“I’m afraid you’ve got it right, Vicki. There’s a strong sexual attraction between us, and we’re on the same wavelength—” Elise stopped, shook her head, and sighed. “I know, and without the slightest shred of doubt, that his career will always come first with Declan. Marriage is the last thing on his mind. I’ll even make a prediction, he won’t marry until he’s at the very top of his career.”
“Why do you say that? How can you know?” Victoria’s voice rose slightly.
“I just do. He wants the fame, the glory. All of it. That’s more important to Declan than anything else in the world.”
“I hope you’re wrong, Elise. That sounds awfully sad in a way. Fame isn’t so great if you’ve no one to share it with.”
A small smile flickered around Elise’s mouth. “I agree. And I suppose you could say I’m a coward. It’s just that I know I’ll fall hopelessly in love with him, and then have my heart broken when he leaves. So you can call me ‘No-Risk-Elise’ if you want, but that’s the way I feel.”
“I’d never call you ‘No-Risk-Elise.’ Because I think you’re very brave, venturing into Fleet Street the way you have, pursuing your career in a predominantly man’s world. And you’ve been through a lot of pain and sorrow about your mother.” Victoria gave her a huge smile, then put an arm around her friend. “You’re being self-protective and no one understands that better than me.”
Elise nodded, and looked at Victoria, half smiled. “Better to get out now, don’t you think?”
“I’m afraid I do. And I trust your insight into Declan. And I’ve always known about that driving ambition of his.”
“Let’s change the subject. When are you going to Cavendon?”
“Fairly soon, before Alicia starts filming. I’ll phone Cecily this morning, just to … well, ask permission. I know it’s not really necessary, but I need to alert her that it won’t be just me and a camera coming. The magazine sends a stylist to look after the clothes, and people from hair and makeup. It’s quite a bunch.”
“I’d like to be a fly on the wall.”
“Come on, come with me,” Victoria said, a smile in her eyes.
“I can’t. I have a career, you see.”
They both laughed, as always enjoying being together.
Fourteen
The special bond between Alice Swann and Alicia Stanton had begun in babyhood. Even before the child’s birth, Alice had been focused on the baby. The bond had remained constant
and strong over many years. It was Mrs. Alice, as everyone called her, who was Alicia’s only other confidante, after her brother Charlie.
Lady Daphne, Alicia’s mother, had been helped by Mrs. Alice when she was in trouble as a young girl. Daphne had relied on her throughout her difficult pregnancy. And so she had honored Alice by calling this first child after her, and the two of them were still close.
On this sunny August morning, Alice and Alicia were seated in Alice’s lovely garden at the back of her house in Little Skell village, under the shadow of the moors. Looking across at them, Alicia said, “I love it here at this time of year, when the heather starts to bloom … what a sight it is … a line of undulating purple against the rim of the horizon.”
“The view is wonderfully comforting, I always think. I suppose because it’s constant, sort of reliable, always coming back, like the changing seasons.”
Moving closer to the younger woman, taking hold of her hand, Alice said quietly, “I’m glad you told me about Bryan yesterday, it’s given me time to think about it. You know, I tend to agree with Constance Lambert. Why did he have to go on the tour?”
Alicia let out a long sigh, and gazed at Alice. “I can’t answer that, I have no idea. Of course, he could have just broken up with me. It’s a bit of a puzzle.”
“There is one possibility, Alicia. He might have become involved with another woman, who was set to go on the Shakespeare tour, and decided to go along with her.”
“I must admit, I hadn’t thought of that, but you’re right. Anyway, I just know I can’t dwell on it anymore. I just have to put it behind me, Mrs. Alice.”
At this moment Victoria came down the garden path, waving a piece of paper. “I’ve found my list, so let’s go and look at the spots I’ve picked out, and then review the clothes.”
Secrets of Cavendon Page 10