Читать книгу The Cavendon Women - Barbara Bradford Taylor - Страница 17

The library door was closed, but Hanson opened it without even knocking, and walked in. The Earl was expecting him.

Charles Ingham was sitting at his desk. He looked up and nodded at the sight of the butler. ‘I’m assuming all my daughters and sisters have arrived, Hanson?’

‘That is so, m’lord,’ Hanson answered, walking forward. ‘The young ladies are in their rooms, and I have spoken to Lady Gwendolyn. I told her tea will be at four thirty today, and I’ve given the same information to Lady Vanessa, as you requested. She is also in her suite. Apparently Lady Lavinia was with Lady Gwendolyn when I telephoned, and the message was relayed to her, Your Lordship.’

‘Thank you, Hanson. As I told you earlier, I don’t want to be disturbed once my children have come down.’

Hanson said, ‘I understand, Lord Mowbray.’ There was a momentary pause, then Hanson murmured, with a slight twinkle in his eye, ‘I could stand guard outside, m’lord, if you so wish.’

Charles burst out laughing. ‘I don’t think that will be necessary, but thank you for offering.’

The butler inclined his head and excused himself. Charles rose, and walked across to the hearth, where he stood with his back to the fire, thinking about his children. He had no qualms about what he was about to tell them. He was quite certain they would understand; his plans made good sense. His daughters were intelligent; they cared about his wellbeing and trusted his judgement. Miles already knew, as did Daphne. As for the world at large, he had long since realized he didn’t care about what strangers thought.

Daphne was the first to arrive with Hugo. When she joined him by the fireside, she said, ‘I have told Hugo about the missing jewels, Papa.’

Charles turned as the door burst open.

‘Here I am, Papa!’ Dulcie cried in her usual flamboyant way, floating towards her father in a cloud of pale blue silk.

Charles embraced her. ‘Like Daphne, you look beautiful, Dulcie.’ A smile tugged at his mouth. ‘You’re both wearing blue. And taking a huge chance. Aunt Gwendolyn will tease you mercilessly about wearing frocks to match your eyes.’

‘She will,’ Dulcie agreed. ‘But we don’t care, do we, Daphers? We love blue, it suits us – and anyway, she wears blue as well. Because she has the same blue eyes. It’s a family distinction.’

Daphne laughed, and went and sat on the sofa, where Hugo joined her.

A moment later, the door burst open again and Diedre, DeLacy and Miles came in together in a mad rush. ‘I hope we’re not late, Papa.’ Diedre hurried forward, with DeLacy right behind her; Miles closed the door and joined his sisters.

Charles greeted them, and was relieved to see that Diedre had chosen pink and DeLacy was in a pale grey frock. No doubt they remembered how their great-aunt frequently made fun of them. Even though she was now in her mid-eighties, she was full of life, and mischief.

Charles let his eyes rest on his children for a moment, and admiringly so, and then he gave them a warm smile.

‘It’s really wonderful to have you here together … I should have done this before, had a family reunion. But, as you know, we’ve had our hands full, keeping Cavendon on an even keel. And it is safe, by the way, thanks to good management, wise counsel from Hugo, and innovations created by Miles. And also a great deal of prudence on Daphne’s part in the running of the house. Anyway, I know we’re going to have a truly happy few days together …’

Pausing, Charles moved away from the fireplace and sat down in a chair. Leaning back, making himself comfortable, he went on, ‘I have several things to tell you. But first, let me explain that I am well, truly recovered from the heart attack I had last year. Doctor Laird has given me a great bill of health. He says I’m fit, and that I can lead a normal life. Which is tremendous news.’

‘It is indeed, Papa!’ Dulcie began to clap her hands, glanced around, and her siblings joined in, clapping with her, laughing together. They loved their father, who had been the true constant in their lives.

Charles still had a smile on his face when he continued. ‘On Sunday afternoon, once lunch is over, I will be leaving Cavendon. I’ve decided that now is the right time to take a holiday. Just for a few weeks, but it will be a welcome respite—’

‘What a wonderful idea!’ DeLacy cut in. ‘It will do you good, Papa—’

‘Where are you going?’ Dulcie asked, interrupting her sister. ‘Somewhere lovely, I hope.’

‘I’m going to Switzerland,’ Charles said, his keen eyes roaming over them once more. ‘To Zurich, to be exact. Hugo has very kindly offered me his villa, and for as long as I want.’

‘What a treat.’ Diedre smiled at her father lovingly, and then a thought suddenly occurred to her. ‘You’ll be by yourself, and you might feel lonely, Papa. Would you like one of us to accompany you?’

Charles shook his head. ‘Thank you, Diedre, for such a kind thought. I would like all of you to know that I won’t be alone. You see, I’m getting married. The holiday is actually my honeymoon.’

Three pairs of blue eyes, wide with shock, were staring at him. Diedre, DeLacy and Dulcie were speechless, unable to say anything for a few seconds, taken by surprise as they were.

Daphne stood up and said, ‘I think congratulations are in order, don’t you?’ She eyed her sisters, her own face wreathed in smiles of happiness for her father. ‘Congratulations,’ they all said in unison.

‘You haven’t told us who the bride is, Papa.’ Diedre stared at her father, a quizzical look on her face. ‘Do we know her?’

‘Of course you do,’ Miles said, walking over to join Daphne in front of the fire. ‘Very well, in fact.’

Charles also stood. ‘It’s Charlotte. I’m going to marry Charlotte Swann. Whom I love and cherish and wish to spend the rest of my life with.’

There was a sudden excited rush towards him.

As usual, Dulcie was the first to spring forward and into his arms, followed by DeLacy and Diedre. Within seconds, three of his daughters were hugging him so hard he was almost knocked over.

‘Goodness me!’ Charles cried. ‘That’s a truly genuine endorsement, if ever I’ve seen one.’

Diedre exclaimed, ‘She’s been like a mother to us, Papa, and she’s certainly held this family together for years. I’m very, very happy for you.’

‘So am I,’ DeLacy said, meaning this as much as Diedre did.

‘I’m so happy for you and for Charlotte, Papa. I don’t know what I would have done without her when I was little,’ Dulcie announced. ‘She gave me so much motherly love.’

‘I know, darling,’ Charles murmured. ‘She’s always been loyal, and she gave love to each and every one of us.’

After a few minutes, when everything had calmed down, it was Diedre who looked across at Daphne and then at Miles. She said softly, ‘You both already knew, didn’t you?’

They nodded, and Miles explained. ‘I had to know, because I’m the heir, and I have to understand all of my father’s actions. Daphne had to be told, because it is she who had to plan the wedding.’

‘I understand,’ Diedre said in an even voice, not at all jealous or put out that two of her younger siblings had known before she did. She was fully aware she had been sadly absent from Cavendon, and for quite some time, and so she didn’t really know what had been going on over the years.

‘When are you getting married, Papa?’ Dulcie asked, as she hovered next to him near the fire.

‘On Sunday morning,’ he answered. ‘Tomorrow evening will be … our engagement party …’ He paused, then finished, ‘On Sunday morning, Charlotte and I will be married in the church here on the estate. There will be a buffet luncheon for the Inghams and the Swanns, and then we shall depart for London, en route to Zurich.’

DeLacy asked, ‘Papa, does Great-Aunt Gwendolyn know? And what about Aunt Lavinia and Aunt Vanessa? Have you confided in them?’

Charles shook his head. ‘They don’t know, not yet. I’m going to tell them in a short while, when we have afternoon tea. You see, I felt it was only correct to explain everything to my children first. But, in all honesty, I don’t need anyone’s approval, as you well know. I am a grown man, fifty-seven years old, and I can do as I wish. I told you first because you have a right to know. And I am going to tell them as a matter of courtesy.’

Diedre said quietly, ‘Great-Aunt Gwendolyn might say you’re stepping out of your class, and—’

‘I don’t care what she thinks – or anyone else!’ Charles interrupted somewhat peremptorily. ‘It’s my life, and I shall live it as I see fit. I thrive when I’m with Charlotte. I shrivel up when I’m without her. I want to be happy in these last years of my life.’

‘The world has changed, Diedre,’ Miles interjected. ‘Sadly, many aristocratic families are suffering because of the heavy taxes imposed on us by the government. And for many other reasons. I don’t believe anyone we know is going to pay much attention to what you do, Papa, with all due respect. They’re all bound up in their own ghastly problems, trying to survive the best way they can.’

‘Well said,’ Hugo agreed. ‘No one can live their lives by what the world thinks. Charles must do as he wishes.’

‘Can I be a bridesmaid?’ Dulcie asked, throwing her father an engaging look.

He smiled, then looked across at Daphne, a brow lifting.

Daphne addressed her sisters when she said, ‘Yes, Dulcie, you can, and you, too, DeLacy, and you, Diedre. I shall be matron-of-honour, since I’m a married woman. And I’ll ask Alicia to be a bridesmaid too.’

‘We don’t have bridesmaids’ frocks,’ Dulcie murmured, making a moue.

‘I thought the three of you could wear something really summery and pretty,’ Daphne answered. ‘As for me, I shall be wearing blue.’

Her sisters began to laugh, and Diedre said, ‘And so shall we. None of us are short of blue dresses, so at least we’ll match each other. Oh, how wonderful … a wedding at Cavendon.’