Читать книгу The Cavendon Women - Barbara Bradford Taylor - Страница 16

Anger had replaced DeLacy’s tears, as she discarded dress after dress, throwing them on the bed, a look of disgust on her face. There was nothing in her wardrobe here at Cavendon that she liked; they were old frocks, out-of-date for the most part, and not so flattering any more, she was sure of that.

She stood glaring at them scattered across her bed, when there was a knock on the door. Before she had a chance to speak, Miles walked in.

‘I came to see what you were doing. My God, DeLacy, you’re not even ready!’ he exclaimed, slightly annoyed.

‘Only because I’ve nothing to wear,’ she wailed, staring at her brother. ‘I brought several things for the evening, but I didn’t bother about day frocks …’ Her voice trailed off helplessly.

Miles came over to the bed and started to examine the dresses. Finally, he picked out a pale grey and white silk afternoon frock with a full skirt, a square neckline and flowing sleeves. ‘This looks quite stylish. I’d wear this if I were you.’

‘That’s a funny expression to use, Miles, since you’re a man. But no doubt you like it because it’s an old Cecily Swann frock.’

He nodded, and smiled knowingly. ‘Of course it is; her style is inimitable. That’s why she’s the success she is today.’ He noticed DeLacy’s mouth tighten, and he knew the reason why. Cecily and DeLacy were no longer friends, and had not been for years.

He glanced at his watch. ‘Come on, put this on. It’s really beautiful, Lacy, and certainly it doesn’t look dated. With some jewellery, it’ll look quite different. Smart.’

DeLacy sighed. ‘I suppose I have no option. All right, I’ll wear it. But I don’t have time to ring for Pam and wait for her to come up. You’ll have to help me.’ As she spoke, DeLacy picked up the dress and hurried into the bathroom. ‘Wait for me, Miles, please, don’t leave.’

‘I’ll be here,’ he promised. He strolled over to the window and glanced out. In the distance he could see the lake and the two swans floating across the water. It had been his ancestor, Humphrey Ingham, who had decreed there would forever be swans at Cavendon, in recognition of James Swann, who had been his liegeman all those years ago, and the truest friend Humphrey had ever had. And they’ve been true ever since, Miles thought. For more than one hundred and seventy years …

‘Here I am!’ DeLacy cried, sounding more cheerful and swinging around. ‘If you could do the buttons for me, Miles. Then all I have to do is put on a string of pearls and earrings, and I’m ready.’

He did as she asked, saying as he did, ‘You look beautiful, and the dress is lovely. By the way, I think you and Cecily should make up, become friends again.’

‘I’ve tried. Many times; even asked her aunt Dorothy to let me buy clothes there. But I’ve been rejected every time. They just don’t give an inch.’

‘Maybe Ceci will relent, if I ask her,’ Miles murmured, fastening the last button. ‘I’ll talk to her later today.’

‘She’s here!’ DeLacy exclaimed as she turned around to face him, surprise in her eyes. ‘And she’s talking to you?’ DeLacy was astonished.

‘Yes, actually, she is,’ Miles answered carefully.

‘I can’t believe it! I thought she would never speak to you again. Why didn’t you tell me she was going to be here?’

Miles sighed. ‘I’ve been far too busy; I wasn’t keeping it from you. But please, Lacy, hurry up. We mustn’t keep Papa waiting.’

‘Just another second, and do let’s go downstairs together. I won’t be a moment.’ As DeLacy spoke she hurried over to her dressing table, took out a string of pearls, put them on, began to look for the earrings that matched.

Miles said, ‘I shall talk to Cecily later this afternoon, and perhaps I can persuade her to relent, now that six years have passed. Perhaps she’ll agree to a rapprochement. Do you want me to do that?’

‘Yes, I do, Miles, as long as there are no recriminations, or anything like that … I mean the placing of blame, I’ve been blamed enough of late.’

‘By Simon, you mean?’ her brother asked, looking across the bedroom at her.

‘Oh yes, and yes, and yes! Long ago, I discovered he loves to whine. And he’s doing it now, moaning and groaning that the failure of our marriage is all my fault.’

‘Is it?’ he asked.

DeLacy swung around to face him, shaking her head. ‘Maybe. Or maybe it’s his … to tell you the truth it’s nobody’s fault. It just happened … it’s the way it is. And I know I can’t remarry him as he wants me to. I simply can’t, Miles.’

‘You don’t have to protest to me. I know exactly what you mean. When a relationship doesn’t work it’s hell on earth.’

Although Miles had told DeLacy she looked beautiful, he was nonetheless worried about her. She was much thinner, and had a gauntness about her. Yes, her face was still delicate, beautifully proportioned, but her shorter hair did not really suit her. He was not particularly enamoured of these sleek, cropped hairdos; he found them masculine. He thought he could get Cecily to become Lacy’s friend again, and she would influence his sister. As they walked downstairs together, he made up his mind to help DeLacy through this difficult period of her life. Fragile though she was at this moment, he knew she was strong. After all, she was an Ingham.