Page 130 of The Secrets of Ashmore Castle

‘Except me. I stay resolutely the same in all circumstances.’

Grandmère, as Richard called her, beckoned Kitty over, and required her to sit beside her. Kitty had been admiring her toilette across the room: she was so elegant, the colours so suited to her complexion, the jewels fine without being overpowering. Kitty wished she could ask her to teach her how to dress. She had always thought she was part of one homogenous social class – wealthy people who brought their daughters out in style – but she was learning that there were strata within that class, and not only did Lady Stainton think Lady Bayfield was from a different stratum, she actually was. It made Kitty feel she had married Giles on false pretences, and that she would never really be a countess.

Grandmère smelt of face powder and verbena scent, which was nice. ‘How are you settling in at the Castle?’ she asked. Kitty hesitated just long enough for Grandmère to give her a shrewd look and say, ‘It was always bound to be difficult. Such adjustments take time. And your mother-in-law is a difficult woman.’

Kitty demurred. ‘Oh, no, I’m sure …’

Grandmère laid a wrinkled but elegant hand over hers. ‘You wish to be nice to everyone. Bien, that is a virtue that cannot be taught. But there comes a time when it ceases to serve. There cannot be two mistresses in one house.’

‘But I never thought—’

‘That you would be mistress? But you should, and you must. Attend: the great houses always build a dower house, for the exile of the dowager when the new countess comes. Otherwise life would become un cafouillage. Intolerable. But Maud, your mother-in-law, does not like the dower house. I did not like it either, and preferred to live in Town. Maud does not like Town. So she lingers.’

Kitty shrank. ‘I couldn’t ask her to go.’

‘Of course not.’

‘And I don’t know how to run the house, anyway.’

‘Entendu.’

‘Then what must I do?’ Kitty asked helplessly.

‘Invite me to stay,’ said Grandmère. ‘I make the offer at great cost to myself because I do not like to live in the country. But I will come for a few weeks, teach you what to do. How to dress,’ she added, with a comprehensive glance at Kitty’s appearance. ‘And make sure that Maud does not trample you, like a great rampaging elephant.’

‘But she’s not fat,’ Kitty protested, slightly shocked.

‘Elephants are not fat. Merely one cannot ignore them. Maud will not acknowledge the fact that she is now the dowager until someone makes her, and that cannot be you, ça se voit.’

‘May I ask a question? If she is the dowager, what are you?’

‘I am dowager too. You may think of me as the double-dowager.’ Kitty laughed. ‘Usually there are not two, because countesses have many children and are so worn out with child-bearing they die young. I had only the one, so I shall live to a ripe old age. You must do better than me, but do not have as many as Maud.’ She sighed. ‘Poor thing, one must pity her. She has not had an easy life.’ She gave Kitty a frank look. ‘I shall tell you her story one day, and you shall pity her, too, but not yet. For now, you must have no pity, or she will crush you. So?’ She raised her eyebrows at Kitty.

‘Yes, ma’am – your ladyship?’ Kitty was confused.

‘Invite me to stay,’ she said impatiently. ‘And you may call me Grandmère.’

‘Would you please come and stay at the Castle – Grandmère?’ Kitty said dutifully.

‘I shall think about it,’ said Grandmère. ‘I do not like the country very much, and I have a great many engagements.’

At that moment Richard joined them. ‘I can see you are looking thoroughly bewildered, Kitty. Is my wicked grandmother winding you in her toils?’

‘I asked her if she would come and stay at the Castle,’ Kitty said doubtfully. ‘I’m not sure if she said yes.’

Richard saw his grandmother’s teasing smile, and leaned down to kiss her cheek. ‘Cruel creature! Tormenting little kittens. Remember our Pusscat doesn’t understand your ways yet.’

Grandmère was intrigued by ‘Pusscat’. ‘Tu sens quelque chose,’ she said, looking from Richard to Kitty.

‘Bien sûr,’ Richard shrugged. ‘Pourquoi non? Elle est vertueuse et agréable.’

‘Hmm,’ said Grandmère.

‘Her ladyship enjoyed herself so much this morning,’ Giles said. ‘She ought to have the opportunity of riding whenever she likes. What is there that will carry sidesaddle?’

Archer and Giddins looked at each other. ‘Did Bee not go well for her, my lord?’ Archer asked.

‘Yes, her ladyship managed her nicely, but my mother likes to ride most days. What else is there?’