by Bell, Julia
It was Danny who finally woke me, when he came running in to tell me about the ball.
“Lord Waltham wants to know if I’m allowed to stay up later tonight.” I lifted my head from the pillow and stared into his eager blue eyes. “Emily and Abigail are allowed to when there’s a dance. They don’t go to bed until ten o’clock.”
“Ten o’clock! Oh, that’s very late, dearest.”
“But it’s a Christmas dance, Mama. And everyone gets a gift from the earl and countess.”
“What everyone?”
He nodded vigorously. “The children get theirs before they go to bed. I think the adults get theirs at the end of the dance.”
“Goodness, that is generous.”
He sat down heavily on the mattress. “So, may I stay up?”
I puckered my mouth as if considering a monumental dilemma. “I’m not sure.”
“Oh, please, please. I’ll be so good for the rest of my life.”
“For the rest of your life?”
“Forever and ever.”
“All right, then. How can I turn down such an excellent offer.”
He flung his arms round my neck and then dashed into his room, where Nelly was preparing a bath for him. I heard him laughing as he undressed and then the loud splash as he jumped into the tub.
Nelly appeared at the door. “I guessed you’d want him wearing his blue suit tonight, ma’am?” I nodded. “It’s five o’clock and the dancing begins at seven, so if you want to bathe and dress, you’d better get started.”
I smiled. Nelly had a firm way about her that I liked. I stretched and yawned.
“Actually, I’m quite comfortable here.”
She walked across to the wardrobe, pulled open the door and studied my gowns. “Well, I suppose you could be excused if you really are too tired. But you’ll be missing the best night of Christmas.”
“Will Lady Shelbrook be going?”
“She will, although she’ll be doing precious little dancing.”
I swung my legs over the side of the mattress. “It sounds fun and I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I lied.
Nelly pulled out my best evening dress. It was in shimmering silver-grey silk and had the conventional sleeveless top. The bodice and skirt were decorated with sprays of miniature pink rosebuds.
“This is beautiful,” she sighed.
“Yes, I have a matching fan to go with it and long white gloves.”
“And your hair?”
“I usually pile it on my head and fasten it with the same artificial rosebuds.”
“You are going to look wonderful.” she exclaimed with delight. “I doubt you’ll be sitting down much tonight. Every gentleman in the room will want to dance with you.”
My enthusiasm didn’t reflect Nelly’s and I slipped off the bed to stand quietly in the middle of the room. I had terrible misgivings about attending the ball. My talk with Karl still troubled me and I felt apprehensive since if he intended winning the bet, then I would have to be on my guard at all times.
Dressed in my silver-grey silk, my hair up in curls and held in place with pink rosebuds, I made my way downstairs on Danny’s arm. He was all of a quiver with excitement and told me that Emily and Abigail would be waiting for us in the long gallery. And when we met them they looked so sweet in their taffeta dresses and ribbons in their hair.
“You look very pretty, Mrs Asquith,” said Emily, slipping her arms round my waist.
“Thank you, Emily. So do you and I hope you get lots of invitations to dance tonight.”
Abigail tossed her hair over her shoulders. “I always do, but that’s because I’m the daughter of an earl.”
None of us made any comment on that little remark. It didn’t deserve a reply and for all their tender years, Danny and Emily knew it too.
We stepped into the ballroom and I gave out a gasp of amazement. It really was a beautiful room. Decorated in purple and grey, it sported a huge chandelier in the centre, filled with flickering candles. The theme of the décor seemed to be Chinese, since motifs of dragons and dolphins graced the wall panels and over the huge marble fireplace was a representation of a temple with a man running past it pulling a rickshaw. The friezes round the cornices were of waterlilies and lotuses that sparkled since they seemed to be made of mother-of-pearl. The orchestra was already tuning up and the maids and footmen were putting the finishing touches to the buffet table.
“We’re not allowed any punch,” said Emily, pointing to a side table sporting a huge silver bowl filled with amber liquid and pieces of fruit. “But there’s always lemonade for us.”
Lord and Lady Waltham came towards us. “Goodness me, don’t you all look wonderful,” said Lady Waltham, looking us up and down. “And you, Mrs Asquith, will be the talk of Hampshire by tomorrow.”
The orchestra started playing and soon the guests arrived. The room began to fill rapidly. It didn’t seem long before the party was underway and people were twirling round and round in a polka.
“Would you care to dance, ma’am?” said Danny, bowing.
I curtsied elegantly. “I’d be delighted, sir.”
Holding both his hands, we joined the throng on the dance floor and soon we were skipping to the music and laughing with joy. And as we spun about, I forgot the trauma of the last two days and began to enjoy myself. Danny’s happy face was all I wanted to see and when we danced past Lord Shelbrook, standing next to his seated wife, I nodded in polite acknowledgement and continued on my way. I only caught a fleeting glimpse of the strange look he gave me. I couldn’t tell if it was disappointment or pain, but I knew he was a troubled man. But it was a man I didn’t want to know. And when Emily took Danny’s place and I held her tiny hands in mine, I knew her father was dead to me. All that mattered was the little girl who looked up at me with laughing brown eyes and all I longed for was to hear her call me Mama.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The note was short and to the point.
Would you please be so kind as to bring Danny to the stables after breakfast.
Lord Waltham
I had found it next to my teacup when I came down and after reading it, I felt puzzled. Why would Lord Waltham want us to go to the stables? I looked towards the window and could see it had started drizzling, but there was still a fair amount of blue in the sky and the sun was making a valiant effort to bring some winter warmth to the frozen ground. As usual, Danny had gone to the nursery to have his breakfast and after I had eaten a slice of toast, I went upstairs to fetch him.
Danny was as puzzled as I. “Have I done something wrong, Mama?”
I helped him on with his coat. “Of course not. Perhaps a new foal has been born and the earl wants you to see him.”
He shook his head. “They’re usually born in the spring.”
At a loss to explain, I tried to be pragmatic. “Well, we’d better go and see what he wants.”
We walked round to the stables and went into the barn where I had gone to fetch the children for their tea two days previously. I saw the earl talking with Karl in hushed tones. There didn’t seem to be anyone else about except for a solitary groom working at the far end.
Lord Waltham looked up and smiled. “Ah, here they are.”
“You wanted to see us, my lord,” I said, trying not to meet Karl’s penetrating gaze.
“Yes indeed, Mrs Asquith.” He looked across at the two foals. “I haven’t decided on a name for these little ones yet and I wondered if your son would like to name the one with the white on his back.”
I frowned. Had he really dragged us to the stable to name a foal? I looked down at Danny and his eyes were bright and eager.
“That would be lovely,” he breathed. “Oh, thank you, sir.” I saw Karl move to one side, seemingly absorbed in examining the toe of his boot. Danny looked up at me. “What shall I call him, Mama?”
I shook my head and laughed. “No, Danny. His lordship has asked you to name him. You must decide for yourself.”
> He stepped closer and licked his lips in excitement. “Well, the white on his back look like wings.” He nodded enthusiastically. “Miss Rupp has been teaching me Greek myth…myth…”
“Mythology,” ventured the earl, smiling.
“Yes, sir. About Perseus and Jason and Hercules. And Pegasus too. I’d like to call him Pegasus.”
I looked across at the earl. “What do you think, my lord?”
His smile became wider. “It does look as though he has wings. So, yes, I think it suits him.”
I glanced at Karl and saw he was grinning at his boots.
“Then if you are happy with that, we’d better get back to the house.” I turned to go.
“Wait just a moment longer,” said Lord Waltham. He stepped across to Danny and placed a tender hand on his shoulder. “How old are you, my boy?”
“Nine this March, sir.”
“Then it’s time you had your own horse. Of course, it will be a while before you can jump on his back, but that will give you plenty of time to learn to ride.”
Danny looked at me aghast and my own expression must have reflected his. “You mean I can keep him?” he gasped.
“He’s all yours, but he’ll need to stay here. He’ll not be suitable for the city.” His lordship glanced at me. “I’m hoping you and your mama will make frequent visits to Claythorpe House as our guest and then you’ll be able to keep an eye on him. And one day you’ll ride him round the estate.”
Danny jumped up and down with absolute joy. “Oh, holy Moses! Mama, I have a horse of my own.”
I turned on him sharply. “Where on earth did you learn language like that?”
Lord Waltham tried to stem his delight and failed miserably. “Abigail, I’m afraid. I really must have words with that daughter of mine.”
I looked at Karl, but he kept his eyes on the ground. I glanced towards the two foals that were showing great interest in Danny and nuzzling his hand. I smiled. It really was a generous gift from a man we had known only two days and I knew I should be overjoyed at his generosity. But why did warning bells deafen me? If we received another invitation to Claythorpe House I would be unable to turn it down because of my son’s enthusiasm and desire to see his new foal. The gift, unbelievable to Danny, had ensnared me in a trap. Had this something to do with their stupid wager?
I felt very subdued over luncheon and this was made even worse by the fact that Danny had told everyone about his astounding gift and everyone was in full agreement that he must visit regularly to get to know his foal.
“I intended inviting you in the summer,” laughed Eloise. “But now you’ll not be able to stay away, if Danny has anything to do with it.”
I felt so uncomfortable. Before we had left London, I had spoken with my son and asked him not to mention anything about my work in the theatre. I had explained that I needed to get away from singing and forget about Covent Garden for a while. He had complied with my request and been very good at keeping silent. But now events were getting out of control. There was no possibility of having time off again in the summer, Mr Perry just wouldn’t allow it. I had signed a contract.
The afternoon brought torrential rain and the children disappeared to the nursery. I found myself on my own since the men had escaped to play billiards and the ladies stayed in the parlour chatting and sewing. I didn’t want to sit still so I took a walk round the house. I wandered about aimlessly, but eventually ended up in the music room, a room I had not been in since coming across it accidentally when I had opened the wrong door. I had decided to put music to one side for the week, but I couldn’t resist lifting the lid on the wonderful grand piano. Before I knew it, I was sitting on the stool, my fingers skimming across the keys as I played a melody I used to play to my pupils.
I let my mind wander as I played, my thoughts drifting through my memories and then I thought of Nan and Diamond waiting for our return home. Diamond would be busy in rehearsals with The Mikado, waiting for her opening night in the New Year. I had already bought our tickets and I was looking forward to seeing her in the role of Katisha. I began to play some extracts from The Mikado and then I found myself humming. It wasn’t long before I was singing softly.
Movement outside the door stopped me. “Who’s there?” I called, standing up.
Emily peeped round the corner. “Sorry, Mrs Asquith. I heard the piano and wondered who was playing it.”
“Come in and join me,” I said, sitting back down.
She walked across and stared down at the ivory keys. “I can’t play but I like to sing.”
“What do you sing?”
“Oh, nursery rhymes and things.”
“Do you know this tune.” I began to play Greensleeves.
She nodded. “Oh yes. That’s one of my favourites.”
“Then come and sit next to me.”
I shuffled over and she took her place beside me on the stool. I began to sing quietly and she smiled with delight. “You sing so beautifully, Mrs Asquith.”
“I’ve heard that you do too, so you sing with me.”
She lowered her head and her cheeks flashed scarlet. “Mama says I make too much noise when I sing.”
“Oh, I don’t think anyone will hear us,” I whispered.
I began to sing and then hum. All the skills I had learnt as a teacher returned and as I encouraged her, she began to sing along with my humming. As young as she was, she did have a good voice. I could see she had potential if only she could be taught the basics. She sang enthusiastically and with enjoyment, that alone was a wonderful stimulus for being a good singer. As I sang with her, I suddenly had the desire to teach her myself, to bring her to the standard where she could enter The Royal Academy of Music. If she were accepted, then there would be no problem about paying the fees, she wouldn’t have the same struggle I had had. Her papa would easily cover the costs. I smiled with the irony of the situation. I had conceived this child so that I might realise my ambition of becoming an opera singer and now I was imagining my own daughter following in my footsteps.
Suddenly she stopped singing. “I’m going to marry Danny when I grow up.”
“Are you really? Has he asked you?”
“Oh, he hasn’t said anything. But we’re very good friends and I know we will get married.”
I stopped playing and looked at her pixie-like face. “Well, it won’t be for some time, with you being only six and him not much older.”
She nodded. “Yes, but I can wait.” She let out a long sigh. “I’ve invited him to Standford Park. That’s where I live, you know. He wants to come ‘cos I’ve told him I’ll teach him to ride. And Papa will help, of course.”
“It’s a dangerous thing, riding a horse,” I said, a cold wave washing over me. “I wouldn’t like him to fall off and get hurt.”
She gave a merry laugh. “I’ve fallen off lots of times, but Papa says you must stand up and get straight back on.”
“Is someone talking about me?” He had appeared in the room unnoticed during our conversation and I jumped at the sound of his voice.
Emily stood and ran to him and he swung her up into his arms. “I’ve been singing with Mrs Asquith. She can play the piano. I said that I want Danny to come and stay in the summer. And Mrs Asquith too, of course. It’ll be all right, won’t it, Papa?”
His gaze flickered in my direction. “I’m sure it will,” he smiled. “Nanny wants you in the nursery for your tea. The other two are already there, so don’t keep them waiting.” She ran off with a whoop of delight. He stood where he was for a few seconds and then slowly moved towards me. I had remained seated at the piano. “I still haven’t heard you sing,” he smiled. I quickly shut the piano lid and stood. He looked disappointed “Won’t you sing something for me?”
“No, sir. I won’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m not here to sing.”
His expression softened as he moved nearer and whispered, “And then you should say that if I want singing lesso
ns, you charge one shilling and sixpence an hour.”
My cheeks began to flush. “Perhaps…I still do.”
He seemed puzzled and amused at the same time. “Still only one shilling and sixpence? Don’t tell me you haven’t raised your price in over seven years.”
He had caught me out and I placed a cool hand over my burning cheeks. I thought quickly. “I charge the going rate.”
“How much are your fees now?” I pressed my lips together. “If I give you two shillings, will you sing for me?”
I moved round the piano so that it was between us. “No, sir. Not for twelve hundred pounds.”
Lifting my chin defiantly, I walked past him and out of the room.
As I dressed for dinner, I felt the world closing in on me. Oh, why did he have to be here? How could fate have dealt me such a cruel blow? I meet a charming widow on holiday and when she invites me to spend time at her home, I use the opportunity as an excuse to escape Mr Andrew Perry’s attentions. Only to find myself in an even worse situation. Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire.
After dinner, it was decided that we would spend the rest of the evening playing cards again. It seemed to be the preferred recreational pastime in this household. At first I was quite happy with the arrangement, but I was dismayed to find that I was allocated a table with not only Eloise but also Viscount Shelbrook and his wife.
Karl shuffled the pack and dealt four hands.
“Emily does nothing but talk of your son, Mrs Asquith,” said the viscountess. Her French accent was still very noticeable even after many years of living in England.
I cast her a bright smile. “Yes, they seem to have become very good friends.”
Karl raised his head and for a split second we exchanged glances. I knew he was having the same thoughts as I; that Danny and Emily were brother and sister and didn’t know it.
“Tell to me, Mrs Asquith, how long have you been a widow?”
I tried not to sigh, but I wondered how often I had been asked that question.
“A while, my lady,” I said, sorting my cards.