Page 44 of The Affairs of Ashmore Castle

‘A suicide in the house,’ Maud said tersely. ‘Are you listening to me, Stainton? It is unhealthy for her to remain here when the servants constantly talk about it.’

Giles tried to get a grip on the conversation. ‘Kitty,’ he said. ‘You mean bad for Kitty.’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘In her delicate condition – just having given birth. You think she ought to go away somewhere?’

‘Not Kitty – Rachel,’ Maud said, exasperated. ‘It is very depressing to a young girl’s spirits. And above all, we must prevent her future chances being damaged by any connection with an act of – of—’

Giles frowned. ‘I don’t see how the cook’s unfortunate end can reflect on Rachel – and she doesn’t seem terribly upset when I see her at dinner.’

Maud took refuge in magnificence. ‘Allow me to know what is best for my own daughter. You are so bound up with your – your agricultural journals’ – she managed to make ‘agricultural’ sound like something mildly obscene – ‘that you never see what is going on under your own nose. I am not asking your permission, Stainton. I am informing you that I shall be taking Rachel away as soon as we can make the arrangements. If not tomorrow, then the next day.’

Giles gave the vestige of a shrug. ‘Whatever you say, Mama. Where this time?’

‘The South of France,’ she said. ‘Vicky and Bobo take a house there at this time of year, on the Côte d’Azur. We shall stay there for several weeks – perhaps until it is time to go to Scotland.’

Giles was about to say something cutting about her lack of interest in Kitty’s welfare – but realised that his mother going away for an extended period was the best thing for Kitty’s peace of mind.

So he said mildly, ‘It sounds like a good idea. I’m sure Rachel will enjoy it. And you won’t be troubled there by domestic matters.’

Maud gave him a suspicious look – she didn’t trust compliance so easily won – then nodded and went away.

‘May I come in?’

‘Oh, Alice! Yes, you’re just the person I need.’

Alice stepped in and looked around. ‘Are you still sticking to your room? I’d have thought that now Mama has gone away you could come out.’

‘It isn’t just your mother,’ Kitty said. ‘Everyone said I have to rest for six weeks. Even Hatto, and she’s quite modern-minded. Some of them say I should have stayed in bed all that time, but I simply couldn’t.’

‘I should think not,’ said Alice. ‘It would drive one mad. But I don’t see how staying in your room is supposed to help.’

‘I’m meant to be lying on the sofa and resting when I’m not in bed. But that’s all over now. It was six weeks yesterday and I’m quite well, and my parents are to visit tomorrow—’

‘Oh yes, I heard.’

‘So could you please help me choose what to wear?’

‘Me?’ Alice was surprised, but pleased. ‘All I ever wear is riding habit.’

‘But you have the eye of an artist,’ Kitty said. ‘Some of your paintings are beautiful. I think you’re good enough to do it professionally.’

Alice laughed. ‘Do you think Mama would ever allow me to work for a living? I only have this bit of freedom because I didn’t turn seventeen until March. As soon as the Season starts next year I shall be trussed up like a Christmas goose and taken to market.’

Kitty couldn’t help laughing. ‘It isn’t like that. It’s fun – most of the time. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it when your turn comes.’

‘Well, never mind me, anyway. Why do you need help dressing? And shouldn’t you be asking Hatto?’

‘I didn’t like her choice. The thing is, my mama is terribly fashionable and smart, and I don’t want her to think I’ve become a dowdy. But I have to remember I’m a mother now, so I can’t be too gaudy.’

‘Well, let me see your things,’ Alice said. ‘Though, honestly, I wouldn’t worry too much about clothes if I were you. Surely the best thing about being a countess is that you can do as you like? I’m sure Mama does.’

Kitty, who hadn’t yet found there were any good things about being a countess, and indeed didn’t really believe she was one as long as her mother-in-law ruled the roost, just nodded, and led Alice to her wardrobe.

Kitty had received a nice note from her step-mother in reply to the announcement of the birth, but it had said it would not be proper for them to visit until her confinement was over.

Now, here they were, and after a brief word with his daughter and an inspection of the baby, Sir John had gone off to talk about manly things with Giles, while Lady Bayfield sat with Kitty, chatting brightly, while looking about her critically and fiddling with the braid on the sofa arm, which was coming off.