by Bell, Julia
Diamond’s departure from Covent Garden was tearful and she was presented with a bouquet of flowers and some very kind words from Mr Perry. I was surprised, since as she had said, she was defecting to the enemy. But he seemed unperturbed about it all.
“Too busy concentrating on winning himself a wife,” whispered Diamond, as we listened to his speech on her talents and virtues. “But he seemed really pleased that I was moving on to better things.”
“I’m going to buy tickets for your opening night,” I said gleefully. “I bet you’re a great success.”
“We don’t open until after Christmas,” she warned.
My mind turned to our plans for the festive season. It was sad that Ruth and Gwilym wouldn’t be home and in fact, their last letter had intimated that they would be away for at least another six months. It gave me some hope that they would be back in the summer. That meant we wouldn’t have seen them for two years. They would see a big change in Danny. He was growing taller by the day and I guessed he would be my height by the time he was twelve.
The Marriage of Figaro was expected to run until February and so far, it had been successful. The theatre would be closing for Christmas Day only and at that time of year, audience numbers rose dramatically as people flocked through the doors. I was starting to feel very tired again as singing every night for six nights a week was becoming exhausting. I was relieved that my understudy did the matinees.
Andrew often asked me out to supper but I always declined his invitation. His reaction was always a pleasant smile and a vague comment that there was plenty of time. Sometimes I would find flowers waiting for me and Martha would nod in their direction and tell me they were from him. He certainly had more patience than I gave him credit for and I only hoped that I could stay firm and not give in.
The letter arrived in the middle of November. I didn’t recognise the handwriting and when I opened it, I gave a cry of surprise. It was from Mrs Babbington, the lady I had met in Eastbourne.
Firstly, she apologised for leaving it two months before writing but she had caught a chill and been confined to bed for a short time. Secondly, she invited me to spend a week at her home in Hampshire and she wanted to know if I could go on the sixteenth of December. It seemed her nephew and his wife always had a little house party the week before Christmas and she wanted me to be her very special guest. I thought about it and wondered what to do. I was sorely tempted and decided to use the power I had over my director and ask for time off. Suddenly I was filled with excitement since she had included Danny in her invitation. The idea of spending a week with Mrs Babbington sounded wonderful.
“How long?” said Andrew, looking me up and down.
“I’ve been invited to spend the week and she wants me to go on the sixteenth.”
He smiled. “Do you know what quid pro quo means?”
“Sounds like Latin.”
“It is and it means something for something. In other words…”
“You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours,” I said drolly.
“Exactly.”
“What do you want, Andrew?”
“Supper at The Savoy Hotel.”
“I can’t afford The Savoy,” I said, trying to keep my face straight. “Can’t you choose somewhere cheaper.”
“Silly girl,” he chuckled. “Supper after the performance on Saturday. That’s my best offer.”
“And you’ll give me leave to visit my friend?”
“Yes.”
“Promise?”
“I never go back on my word.”
That was true. If anything, Andrew Perry always said what he meant.
“All right. Agreed.”
He sat back in his chair. “So, where’s this place you’re going?”
“Claythorpe House in Hampshire.” He gave a low chuckle. “What’s the matter with that?”
“Did you know it’s the country seat of the Earl of Waltham?”
My mouth dried up and I found I couldn’t answer for a few seconds. “I had no idea.”
“Alastair. I went to school with him.”
“You know him? What a coincidence.”
“Well, I haven’t seen him for years. Give him my regards, will you.”
I made my way to the dressing room to prepare for the evening’s performance, my mind whirring. I was going to spend time with an earl. And his wife would be a countess. What would it be like in their company? I couldn’t imagine it would be the same as being with the duc and duchesse at Chateau St Julienne. There, I was…what had I been? A guest yes, but more like a patient. At Claythorpe House I would be there to enjoy the entertainment and meet other guests. But the earl and his wife must be friendly if they had Mrs Babbington as a relative. She was their aunt and that fact alone quelled my fears. But first I had to have supper with Mr Perry.
“You shouldn’t have agreed to it, Miss Barri,” said Martha, sucking in a breath through her teeth. “He’ll wine and dine you and sweet talk you again and before you know it…”
“I’ll be wedded and bedded,” I said smiling.
She stared at me aghast. “I wouldn’t put it quite like that, but since you’ve said it.”
“If I have supper with him, he’ll give me time off to go to Hampshire.”
“He might ask for more than supper,” she grunted.
I didn’t answer.
Preparations for our journey were underway. I had already replied to Eloise’s letter, confirming the arrangements and she had written back and told me what train I must catch. She said she would come personally and collect me from the station. I was surprised that she sounded as excited as I did.
My evening with Andrew arrived and I was on my guard. This time I wouldn’t tolerate any ‘sweet talk’ as Martha had called it.
“No marriage proposal,” I warned him, as he pulled out my chair for me.
He raised his eyebrows. “Never crossed my mind.” He took his seat. “I’ll wait until you come back from Hampshire and your visit with the nobility.”
His casual comment disturbed me. “I’ve never met English nobility,” I said without thinking. “Can’t imagine how I should behave.”
He frowned. “You’ve met foreign nobility?”
“N…no. What I mean…Well, I hope I don’t embarrass myself.”
“As I said, they’re nobility not royalty. And you don’t have to curtsey or anything like that, you’re not a servant. You’re their guest, so be your charming self and you’ll win their hearts.” He peered at me over the menu and his eyes crinkled with amusement. “Just like you won mine.”
I clicked my tongue. “I said none of that.” My mind turned to my impending visit. “What’s he like, this earl?”
He pursed his lips. “I always found him polite, friendly and a perfect gentleman.”
“The countess?”
“Small, rather dumpy.” I giggled and it made him chuckle. “Friendly, yes, but rather given to annoying dramatics.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” The waiter appeared and we placed our order.
“It means she’s prone to being overexcited about anything and everything.”
“Oh dear.”
“If that snake of Miss Rupp’s ever escaped, the countess would no doubt tell every one that a huge man-eating reptile was on the loose.”
“So would I.”
“It’s only a grass snake.”
I shuddered. “I can’t believe I allowed Miss Rupp to bring it into the house.”
“Easily persuaded, are you?”
“Sometimes.”
“Oh, good,” he said, smiling.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
The morning of the sixteenth of December was cold, wet and windy. The cab arrived and the driver stowed our luggage and then Danny and I jumped aboard. This was our second trip in three months and my son couldn’t contain his excitement. We were dressed warmly for the journey as the drizzling rain was bitter in the chilly wind that blew down from the north.
Nan and Diamond waved us off and soon we were on our way to Waterloo Station. It wasn’t going to be a long journey, only as far as Basingstoke, where Eloise would meet us with a coach and accompany us to Claythorpe House. In just over two hours we were there and she was waiting for us on the platform. It was lovely seeing her again and the greeting she gave us told me that we would be made very welcome in her home.
“My nephew and his wife can’t wait to meet you,” she said, as she ushered us out of the station and into the waiting coach.
I wasn’t surprised to see a crest on the door or the liveried driver and grooms who handled our luggage. An unexpected feeling of déjà vu swept over me.
“It’s very kind of you to invite us.” I gestured for Danny to climb into the coach first.
“Not at all, my dear. You are my special guest. The other house guests have already arrived and although I’m acquainted with them all, they’re not exactly my friends.”
I licked my lips nervously. “Are there many of them?”
“Oh, I haven’t counted. Just the usual crowd.” She kept up a lively conversation until we passed through the village of St Mary Bourne. I could imagine it being a very pretty village in the summer, but now with the trees bare and the weather rather gloomy, it seemed a bleak place. “There’s the river,” she smiled. “And just beyond is Claythorpe House.”
We watched from the window and then in the distance I saw the gates that seemed to tower above us with the crest sitting proudly on the top. The gatekeeper’s lodge was set back and he came out to open the huge wrought iron structure. He doffed his cap as we passed and I couldn’t help smiling. My heart thudded wildly and I hoped I wouldn’t make a complete fool of myself in front of such eminent company. We trotted down the drive for about three miles and finally I could see the front of the house.
Claythorpe House was certainly more than a house. It was four storeys high, with large protrusions at each end that I would discover later were the east and west wings of the building. Its large entrance sported an impressive portico with two massive Doric columns just like the ones I had seen at Chateau St Julienne. There seemed to be countless windows and I wondered how many servants they employed to keep the place running. Round the house was a wide gravel path that seemed to encircle the entire building and in front, a sweeping lawn rolled down the hill forever with poplar trees just visible in the distance.
“It’s beautiful,” I breathed. I put my arms round Danny. “What do you think?”
“It’s big.” His eyes lit up. “It’ll be wonderful to explore.” He turned to Eloise. “Has it got any secret passages?”
She gave a throaty laugh. “You’ll have to ask my nephew about that. I came to live here only three years ago.”
“It must take ages to get from one place to another?” I asked.
“It’s always advisable to check that you have everything before you leave your room. But of course, you can always ask a maid to fetch anything you’ve forgotten.” The coach was pulling up at the door and two footmen came out. “Now then, I’ll see you immediately to your room. It overlooks the back of the house and you have a wonderful view of the gardens and river.” I don’t know why, but suddenly I remembered my room at Chateau St Julienne. That had had a view of the lake and now I would be able to see the river. “Luncheon is served at one-thirty. Alastair and Penelope prefer a buffet-style luncheon and then everyone can just tuck in. Dinner is at seven-thirty and a little more formal.”
I followed her through the entrance, holding Danny’s hand and trying not to look like a country girl from the Welsh valleys. The hallway was similar to the one at the academy, although the floor tiles were cream and burgundy, the walls a dazzling white. An impressive marble staircase led to the upper rooms, held aloft by four columns. I remained at Eloise’s elbow and tried to ignore the glances from the maids and footmen we passed on the way. Up the staircase we climbed and then we walked along a wide corridor. Every room along this passage must have been enormous, as each door was double in size. Eventually we came to mine. She pushed open the door and we went inside.
It was a lovely room sporting two large windows, with pink velvet curtains tied back. A huge four-poster bed stood against the wall and there were a fair number of dressers and wardrobes and an elegant dressing table. In the corner was a long swivel mirror. A fire roared in the grate and I immediately went to it and rubbed my hands over the warming flames.
Eloise opened another door adjacent to the window. “This is your room, Danny. You’ll be sleeping right next to your mama.” He disappeared from sight and I followed him to the doorway. He was jumping up and down on a large bed and then springing off to rush round and open every cupboard and drawer he could find. “You’ll be eating in the nursery.”
He stopped his exploring. “The nursery!” he said, scowling. “But I’m eight. I’m not a baby.”
I went to him and put my hand on his shoulder. “In a house like this, the children always eat in the nursery.”
He pulled a face. “I suppose it’ll be all right. Are there any toys in the nursery?”
Eloise nodded. “Tons of them. There’s a giant rocking horse that Alastair used to play on when he was a boy. You’ll love it.”
“May I go now, Mama?” he asked, his eyes shining.
I felt rather dubious. It was such a big house.
“He’ll be all right,” laughed Eloise. “If he gets lost, there’s plenty of staff about to ask the way.”
“I won’t get lost,” he insisted.
“Off you go, then,” I said and he rushed from the room.
Eloise glanced around. “Well, the maid will unpack for you and she’ll also bring some hot water.”
Left alone I started to unpack, hanging my clothes in the cupboard and placing my toiletries on the wonderful dressing table. I was used to Martha seeing to my needs, but I liked to be left to my own devices and not fussed over. I had had enough of that in France. I went into Danny’s room and unpacked his things. I had brought a patchwork quilt with me that Nan had made and I lay it over his bed and then put some more coal on the fire, so that the room would be lovely and warm when he returned. Making sure it was as comfortable as possible for him, I went back into my own room to get changed for luncheon. There was a tap on the door and I called for them to come in.
A tall, thin maid in frilly cap and apron appeared with a large jug of steaming hot water.
“Good afternoon, ma’am. I’ve come to unpack for you.”
“All done. I didn’t want to bother you.”
She seemed stunned at first but then smiled. “Is everything to your liking, ma’am?”
I nodded. “It’s wonderful, thank you.”
She placed the jug on the washstand. “His lordship is drawing up plans to build bathrooms with running water. Can you imagine it, ma’am, no more trekking up and down the stairs carrying jugs.”
“The Savoy Hotel has bathrooms and full electric lighting,” I informed her.
Her eyes became wide with astonishment. “We still have to use oil lamps.” She pointed to where three lamps stood. “I don’t think gas will ever get to us folk in the country, but his lordship says we’ll get electricity as soon as we can.”
I smiled at her optimism. “I can’t wait to meet his lordship. He sounds a very interesting person.”
She gave a quick curtsey. “I’m Nelly, ma’am and I’ll help you to dress if you wish.”
“I shall be all right for now, Nelly. But perhaps you’d help me dress for dinner?”
She curtsied once more and then left me alone.
I undressed and then went to the washstand, poured out some water and washed. Hanging the towel over the rail, I opened the wardrobe and chose a dress I thought suitable for luncheon. It was blue and white trimmed with French lace. It had long wide sleeves and a short train that fell from the bustle. I sat at the dressing table in my petticoat, unpinned my hair and brushed it vigorously.
Suddenly, I heard laug
hter outside and feeling curious I went to the window. I watched as a group of men appeared on the pathway that led to the wide terrace. I counted at least four men, although I couldn’t see them clearly as they were wrapped up in warm coats and from my angle I could only see the top of their hats.
I heard a shriek and a little girl in a short, blue cape edged in fur came hurtling round the corner towards the men. As she ran, her hood slipped from her head and I could see she had long, brown hair tied with a large, red ribbon. The wind blew the profusion of curls over her shoulders. Must be the earl’s daughter, I thought. She kept running and I watched with interest as one of the men held out his arms, caught her and then swung her onto his shoulders. I smiled sadly. My papa used to do the same thing when I ran down the hill to meet him as he came back from the mine. I turned away from the window and wondered where Danny had got to.
I went to the door and peeped out into the corridor listening to the various noises that came from a large household. He would be all right, I thought. He wouldn’t get lost. I left the door ajar so that I could hear him when he returned and sat at the dressing table again, plaiting my hair and twisting it at the back of my head in a tight coil. I fixed it in place with an ivory comb and then I slipped into my dress and fastened the buttons. It was then that I realised someone was hovering outside the door.
“Danny, is that you?” There was no answer. “Come in, dearest. It will be time for your luncheon soon.” The door was pushed open slowly and standing on the threshold was the dark-haired little girl I had seen outside, dressed in a red and white pinafore dress. I smiled at her. “Hello. What’s your name?”
She gave a little curtsey that I thought very sweet. “Emily, ma’am.”
I beckoned to her. “Come in, then.”
She shook her head. “Mama says I mustn’t go into the bedrooms.”
I bit my lip not wanting to go against her mama’s wishes and also wondering if I should call her Lady Emily since she was the daughter of an earl. I decided to be informal for now. “Well, this is my bedroom and I invite you in.” A bright smile filled her face and she skipped over to me. I held out my hand. “I’m pleased to meet you, Emily. I’m Mrs Asquith.”