Page 130 of The Affairs of Ashmore Castle

Richard nodded. ‘I’ve secured tickets for everyone at Aunt Caroline’s, and she’s warned her friends that they absent themselves at their peril. Mother isn’t entirely happy. She dislikes concerts – and dislikes even more to be dragooned. “Who is this person?” she booms – person, being, as you know, Granny, the worst insult she can bestow.’

‘But she will be present,’ Grandmère said. It was not a question.

‘Sheer curiosity will bring her,’ said Richard. ‘She can’t understand what I have to do with music. She suspects some ulterior motive.’

‘She will be there because I will tell her to be. And because it will be a very important event of the Season.’

‘Do I have to go?’ asked Alice, who had followed the exchanges like someone watching tennis.

‘You do. But you’ll enjoy it,’ said Richard, patting her arm. ‘I didn’t think I liked music until I heard Chloë play. It’s like nothing on earth.’

‘Are you in love with her?’ Alice asked suspiciously.

‘Too impudent,’ Grandmère rebuked her.

But it was Richard’s laugh that convinced her. ‘No, I certainly am not.’

She must be more than usually plain, then, poor thing, Alice thought. And said, ‘I suppose a pianist must be something like a ballet-girl or an actress?’

‘No, nothing like,’ Richard said, a little tautly.

‘Good. Because I overheard one of the grooms saying something about Papa liking actresses and ballet girls and—’

‘That’s enough from you, miss,’ Richard said. ‘You ought to know better at your age than to repeat grooms’ talk.’

‘I wouldn’t, to anyone else,’ Alice said.

Grandmère thought it time to change the subject. ‘I hope you are to be fitted with some new gowns while you are here. Your hems are too short.’

‘I’ve outgrown everything,’ Alice said. ‘I don’t mind.’

‘I mind,’ said Grandmère. ‘I cannot have my granddaughter appear in public like that.’ She waved a hand. ‘I shall speak to Maud.’

‘She’s awfully busy with Rachel.’

‘Then I shall speak to Caroline. You must have a new gown before the concert. I mean you to sit beside me, and all eyes will be on us.’

‘Ah, the concert of the unearthly pianist!’ Alice said, with a sly look at Richard. ‘Does she have wings?’

* * *

How Linda learned that the Castle Staintons had gone to London was uncertain, but she arrived the day after they did, and it was only fortunate that she did not bring her husband, children or a maid, because it would have puzzled Lady Manningtree how to accommodate them all. ‘How lucky to find everyone here,’ Linda said brightly. ‘I have some business to attend to which necessitated coming up, but now I see it’s a family gathering, I shall stay for a day or two. What’s the occasion?’

‘No occasion,’ Caroline said. ‘Giles has business, and Rachel is to be shown at a few parties—’

‘Oh, I can help Mama there. I know she doesn’t care for such things. I can chaperone Rachel and save her the trouble,’ Linda said eagerly.

‘You can offer,’ Caroline said, ‘but I don’t think she is minding it this time. Rachel has taken very well so far. She’s certainly rewarding to show.’

‘Well, she’s pretty,’ Linda said, somewhat sourly. ‘But she may find the lack of dowry holds her back – unless Giles has relented at all. He seems very reluctant to part with any of the fortune he married.’

‘If I were you,’ Caroline said mildly, ‘I would not use that tone – or those words – around him. Honey catches more flies than vinegar, Linda dear.’

‘You’d be vinegary, Auntie, if you had my problems. And he ought to continue Papa’s allowance. He has an obligation to respect our father’s wishes. Family is everything.’

‘All I’m saying is that if you ask him, ask nicely. But don’t expect too much. He has a great many drains on his finances with the estate.’

‘Oh, the estate,’ Linda said dismissively. What were acres and farms compared with blood relations? she thought. ‘Did they bring the baby?’ she asked, on the back of that idea.