Songbird

by Bell, Julia

  She put her small hand in mine and I saw her mime my name. “That’s a lovely comb,” she said, glancing at my hair.

  “My papa bought it for me when I was just a little older than you.”

  “I’m six. I’ll be seven in the summer.”

  “You haven’t seen my son, have you?”

  “Is he lost?”

  “Well, he went off to find the nursery.”

  She giggled and it sounded like a tinkling bell. “Perhaps we’d better go and look for him or he’ll starve to death.”

  I couldn’t help laughing. “Not my Danny. He can smell food from miles away.”

  “Perhaps he’s in the kitchen.” She was studying the objects on the dressing table. She spotted the walnut jewellery box that had been my twenty-first birthday present from the duc and duchesse. “May I have a look?” I opened it and watched in amusement as she picked up each piece and studied it carefully. “This is nice,” she said, holding up the gold and diamond heart-shaped pendant on its gold chain. “Did your papa give you this too?”

  I took it from her and sighed. “No, this was a very special gift from a very special person.” I held it in my hands. “I think I’ll wear it.” I clasped it round my neck. “What do you think?”

  “You look so beautiful, Mrs Asquith,” she said, her eyes shining. Suddenly, she let out a cry of pleasure. “Oh, this is the best one.” She brought out the pink shell bracelet that I had bought from the market stall the afternoon of our trip to see The Mikado. “I really like this one.”

  I had almost forgotten about it. It had lain at the bottom of my jewellery box for nearly three years.

  “Would you like it?”

  “Can I really?”

  I took it from her and fastened it round her wrist. “It belongs to you now.”

  She shook her hand and the shells jingled. “It’s beautiful.”

  I watched her and smiled and remembered the little girl who had sold it to me, her eyes and nose streaming with the cold.

  “Oh, where is that son of mine,” I said irritably. “I hope I don’t have to look for him otherwise I’m liable to get lost too.”

  “Then Papa would have to get the dogs to sniff you out,” she said, grinning.

  I heard voices along the corridor and there was a gentle tap on the door.

  Eloise came in, her hand on Danny’s shoulder. “I’ve just met a handsome young man in the corridor.”

  “I couldn’t find the nursery, but I did find…” He stopped abruptly when he saw I had company.

  “Danny, this is Lady Emily. Say hello,” I said.

  He turned to her and gave a sharp bow. “Pleased to meet you, Lady Emily,” he said, with all the politeness of a young gentleman.

  She gave a small curtsey. “Likewise, sir.” She turned to me. “That’s what Mama says.”

  Eloise chuckled. “I think they’re going to get on very well.” She straightened the red bow in the little girl’s dark, brown curls. “Nanny Pearson is waiting for you. Emily, why don’t you take Danny to the nursery for luncheon and then you can show him all the toys up there.”

  “Yes, there’s millions of them. Would you like to see?”

  Danny nodded and in flurry of laughter and running feet, they were through the door and gone.

  Eloise gave a contented sigh. “A bit of peace whilst we enjoy our meal. We tend to meet in the drawing room for drinks, so I’ll escort you down and introduce you to everyone.”

  I breathed a sigh of relief. I had felt quite worried about entering a room full of strangers on my own. And yet it was so silly when I was used to performing every night in front of hundreds of people. But on stage I was Miss Emmeline Barri, now I was Mrs Isabelle Asquith.

  I picked up my fan and checking that I had everything I needed, I again followed at Eloise’s elbow and listened to her happy chatter about Claythorpe House and how it was over three hundred years old. It had been in the family of the Earls of Waltham all that time. Of course, it had been extensively altered over the centuries and now her nephew was planning on improving it further with modern facilities. We reached the drawing room and I could hear the buzz of conversation from within. Eloise stepped through and I quickly smoothed my hair and dress before following on her heels, taking in large breaths to steady my palpitating heart.

  The room seemed full of people. The ladies were seated on three couches, the gentlemen dotted about, but mostly congregating round the fireplace, where a huge log fire burnt. I was pleased that Eloise didn’t announce my presence to all and sundry, but took my arm gently.

  “Come and meet my nephew and his wife first,” she whispered. “And then we’ll take it from there.”

  “Thank you,” I whispered back.

  She guided me over to the group of men standing by the fireplace. “Alastair, this is my friend, Mrs Isabelle Asquith, whom I met on holiday.”

  A man in his early forties stepped forward, with silver-grey hair and sapphire blue eyes. He smiled pleasantly and held out his hand. “Mrs Asquith, indeed. Welcome to Claythorpe House. I’ve been telling everyone about your imminent arrival. My aunt has done nothing but talk about you since her holiday to Eastbourne.”

  I put my hand in his and he kissed my fingers. “Thank you for inviting me.”

  “It’s a pleasure,” he said, bowing.

  “Before I forget, Mr Andrew Perry sends his regards to you.”

  His face showed surprise and then he grinned. “Goodness me, you’re acquainted with old Perry? How is he these days? Does he still dash about as though the devil was after him?”

  “Yes, he does,” I laughed. “And he seemed very well, when last I spoke to him.”

  “I really must get in touch and catch up on old times.”

  Eloise decided to break into the conversation. “I’ll take Isabelle round and introduce her to everyone.”

  The earl inclined his head. “You’ll probably know everyone’s name by the time you go home,” he laughed. “What drink do you prefer, Mrs Asquith?”

  “A sherry would be lovely, thank you,” I nodded.

  He gestured to the footman who immediately went to the cabinet

  We were just about to turn away when the earl said, “Have you seen that daughter of mine, Eloise?”

  She pursed her lips. “I shooed her to the nursery for her luncheon.”

  “Good! It’s a wonder you got her away from the stables?”

  The footman brought my sherry on a silver tray and I took it, murmuring a quiet thank you. I placed it on a small occasional table, since I knew I was going to be occupied for the next ten minutes. Eloise put her hand on my elbow and guided me round the room. First there was Lady Waltham, the earl’s wife and as Andrew had informed me, was small and rather dumpy. Then came Lord and Lady Chalgrove, after that Lord and Lady Ramsbury. Mr and Mrs George Cannings were a lovely couple, who seemed very enthusiastic about meeting me. Thank goodness, I thought, some ordinary folk like me. Then came Sir Joshua Portland and his wife. Finally, Eloise introduced me to someone who made me rock back on my heels.

  “And this is our former prime minister, the Marquess of Salisbury.”

  He took my hand and I couldn’t help grinning. “I’m pleased to meet you, sir.”

  “It’s an honour to meet you, ma’am.”

  “Are you thinking of trying for the premiership again?”

  “I am indeed.”

  I tilted my head in amusement. “You and Mr Gladstone seem to be playing political tennis. Why don’t you share the post of prime minister and save all those constant trips to Buckingham Palace?”

  The marquess threw back his head and his raucous laugh echoed round the room. “Did you hear that, everyone? Mrs Asquith believes I should get into bed with old Gladstone.”

  I heard Eloise chuckle at my side. “You’re going to cause a political storm, my dear.” I smiled and opened my fan to cool my burning cheeks. We had circled the room and were now back at the fireplace. Movement on the right-hand side
of me, alerted me to the presence of someone else, but my mind was becoming fuzzy with all the faces and names. “Just one more person left,” said Eloise. “And then you can have your drink and catch your breath.” She turned me by the elbow and standing in front of me was a tall, handsome man, with light brown hair and eyes of sparkling blue-green. Instinctively, I held out my hand and he took it and raised it to his lips. “Brett, this is Mrs Isabelle Asquith, my very special guest. Isabelle, may I introduce you to an old friend of the family, Viscount Shelbrook.”

  “I’m pleased to meet you, Mrs Asquith,” he said softly.

  It was as if time stood still. Voices became distant; faces receded into the background. My fan slipped from my numbed fingers and clattered to the floor. His voice was just as I always remembered it, his eyes never left my face and seemed to burn into me. I tried to open my mouth and speak but no sound came from my parted lips. His hand tightened round mine, as if warning me to stay calm.

  “Are you feeling unwell, Isabelle?” said Eloise, picking up my fan and placing it back in my trembling fingers. “Would you like to sit down?”

  I nodded numbly.

  He quickly looked around. “We’ll take her to the other side of the room. It’ll be cooler over there.” Eloise put her arm round me and we crossed the floor to a couch nearer the window. She urged me to sit down and then sat beside me. I watched him go to the drinks’ cabinet, pour out a drink and then return immediately. He put a glass in my hand. “Drink it. It’s brandy and will revive you.”

  I took a small sip. It did revive me.

  “I’m so sorry,” I stammered. “It must have been the journey and probably I’m a little hungry.” I kept my eyes on the brandy glass, not wanting to look up and make eye contact with him.

  “That’s probably what it is,” he said and I knew he was smiling.

  Lady Waltham called across the room, “Eloise, is everything all right over there?”

  “Yes. Mrs Asquith suddenly felt dizzy,” she called back. She turned and smiled at the man standing over me. “Since you and the marquess are the only gentlemen without a wife, Penelope has asked if you’d mind escorting Mrs Asquith into luncheon.”

  “I’d be delighted,” he said and I knew he was watching me.

  Eloise rose from her seat and made her way over to the marquess.

  I summoned the courage to glance up. “Karl,” I whispered.

  He sat down next to me. “My name is Brett,” he whispered back. “You must know me by that name now.”

  Now I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I remembered the last time we had met. It was by the lake at Chateau St Julienne, but he hadn’t allowed me to turn round and look at him. The last time I had seen his face was over seven years ago and he hadn’t changed. Not one bit.

  “I don’t…I can’t…”

  He squeezed my hand. “Oh, my sweet Isabelle. You’ve grown from a lovely girl into a beautiful woman. When you came into the room I thought I was imagining it. It was a terrible shock for me but at least I had ten minutes to get used to your presence.” His eyes rested ever so briefly on my necklace.

  “What shall we do?” I tried to steady my breathing.

  He seemed amused at my consternation. “You’ll take my arm and we’ll go into the dining room.”

  Suddenly, I remembered what Eloise had said about him being ‘without a wife’. “Your wife?”

  He smiled sadly. “She’s a little unwell today, so she’s staying in her room.”

  “Oh, I am sorry. Oh dear, I’m…speechless.”

  He gave that chuckle that I loved so much. “That’s unfortunate as we have much to talk about. However, knowing the pleasant company we are in, we’ll probably get dragged into playing charades after luncheon.”

  I shook my head. “How can you be so relaxed about all this?”

  He didn’t answer but only smiled again. Rising from his seat, he held out his hand to me.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Luncheon was a veritable feast. A long table was placed against the wall and covering the white linen tablecloth were platters of sliced beef and venison, a variety of cheeses, numerous plates of sandwiches consisting of triangular-cut cucumber and square-cut ham and then there were dishes of crab and salmon. At the far end were the desserts of blackberry tartlets and meringues smothered in chocolate. There was plenty of wine, poured into cut-glass goblets by a very attentive footman.

  As soon as I was in the dinning room I extracted myself from Karl’s arm, excused myself and made my way over to Eloise. I felt uncomfortable in his presence and deciding that my pensive appearance might betray me, I thought a little distance between us would help me gain my composure.

  “Are you feeling any better, my dear?” said Eloise.

  I gave a strained laugh. “Oh dear, I’m not usually given to dizzy spells.”

  Eloise helped herself to the salmon. “As you said, it was probably the fact you were hungry.” She offered me a slice of salmon and I nodded. “You’ll be well fed here,” she said, placing it next to the cucumber sandwich on my plate. “Alastair likes to look after his guests.”

  I looked around and saw everyone was tucking in with relish. “He’s a very generous host,” I murmured.

  Lady Waltham came hurrying from the far side of the room, her bustle swinging from side to side in her haste. “Mrs Asquith! Oh, I do hope you’re not coming down with a chill or a fever. Lady Shelbrook has been laid up since arriving last night.”

  The mention of Karl’s wife made my interest sharpen. “I hope it’s not too serious?”

  She flapped her hands in front of her as though warding off some terrible infection. “I fear it could be influenza or even pneumonia,” she said, her eyes showing panic. “I’m sure she’s at death’s door. I must go up and see her this minute.”

  She scurried from the room.

  “Is she so ill?” I asked.

  I looked across to where Karl was talking animatedly with the Marquess of Salisbury. He didn’t seem too concerned over his wife’s health.

  Eloise smiled. “Penelope tends to make a lot of fuss over nothing. Lady Shelbrook was overwrought with the journey. That’s all. She just needs a day to recover.”

  “Had they come far?”

  “No,” she said, trying not to laugh. “Only from Wiltshire.”

  Karl glanced towards me, a tender smile lighting up his face. I quickly looked away. What was I going to do? Should I leave Claythorpe House immediately and remove myself from his company? I struggled with my inner demons.

  I stayed with Eloise as much as possible, but then decided to try one of the desserts. I went to the end of the table and tried to choose between a tartlet and a meringue.

  “Do you still sing?” His soft voice to the right of me made me start.

  “Sing? Yes, when it’s necessary.”

  His turquoise eyes suddenly filled with mischief. “Last night when we arrived, all the conversation round the dinner table was of Eloise’s beautiful friend she had met on holiday.”

  “I’m pleased I’m of interest to people.”

  He ignored my sarcastic comment. “Of course, mention of a young widow by the name of Mrs Asquith meant nothing to me.”

  “I don’t suppose it would.”

  “However, I’m pleased you eventually married.” His expression darkened. “Although Eloise said you were not married long and I was saddened to hear that.” I didn’t answer. “And you have a son called Daniel?”

  I nodded. “Yes, Danny.”

  “I’d like to meet the little fellow.”

  “Would you?”

  “I realise he’ll be in the nursery with Nanny Pearson, but perhaps she could bring him down after his afternoon nap.”

  I stared at him not quite understanding and then realised with horror that he would assume that Danny was just an infant. It suddenly occurred to me that Eloise must have been very discreet and not divulged my full history to everyone.

  “You’ll meet him soon,�
�� I murmured. “As I’m sure to meet your wife.”

  He frowned slightly. “I trust you’ve always kept our secret?” he whispered.

  “Of course.”

  “Then I must ask you to keep your identity from my wife.”

  “You don’t want her to know who I am?”

  He glanced around and then nonchalantly picked up a meringue. “She becomes distraught at the slightest thing and it would only distress her.”

  I looked around too, wondering if our close conversation was being observed. But everyone seemed to be engrossed in their own lively discussions.

  “As you wish.” I moved away from the table and went to stand by the window. I was surprised when he followed me and as he came closer, I caught the scent of white musk. “How long have you been a viscount?”

  “A title I inherited at the age of ten on the death of my father,” he smiled ruefully.

  “So, you were titled when we first met?” I felt aghast that I had been to bed with a viscount. Borne a child for an aristocrat.

  “I was, indeed,” he said simply.

  I took in a surprised breath. “In just one hour, I’ve learnt more about you than I’ve done in seven years.”

  “Perhaps it was meant to be.”

  Ever since Eloise had introduced us, I had my mind on his daughter, our daughter. Was she with them? I had only met the earl’s dark-haired, brown-eyed little girl. Perhaps Karl and his wife had decided to leave their child behind in Wiltshire.

  I felt compelled to steer the conversation round to her. “Eloise tells me you’re from Wiltshire?”

  “Yes. Our home is Standford Park. It’s near a small village called Alton Priors. Have you heard of it?” I shook my head. “It’s a lovely place.”

  “A nice place to bring up a child?” I said, tongue in cheek.

  He gave me a sidelong glance. “It’s where I was born and brought up.”

  I thought this over for a few seconds and decided to ask a direct question. “But not the place you wanted your child born?”