Cavendon Hall (34 page)

Hugo was genuinely happy about the arrangement, and one of the reasons was that he would have to travel soon. He must be in Zurich for several meetings, and also in London. He had been putting the trip off, but now he would be leaving tomorrow. It was imperative.

Knowing that Daphne and the baby were with her family made him feel comfortable and at ease about them. He loved them both very much, and he was filled with the kind of happiness he had not thought possible. He knew he was a lucky man.

Charles came into the library, breaking into his thoughts. “I had Gregg drive to Harrogate and back,” the earl announced. “And I’m happy to tell you the roads are clear. He’ll have no problems driving you to the station tomorrow, and the trains are running on time.”

“Thanks for doing that, Charles, and it’s good to know,” Hugo answered.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay at the Mayfair house?” Charles now stood in front of the fireplace warming his back, and he threw Hugo a questioning look.

Walking over to join him, Hugo shook his head. “Thank you, Charles, it’s awfully good of you to offer. But I’ll be in London for only two nights. It’s not worth opening up the house for such a short stay.”

Charles nodded. “Whatever suits you best, old chap.”

“The reason I’m going to Switzerland via London is to see my former personal assistant, Jill Handelsman. She worked alongside Ben Silver first, and then became my PA after his death. She and her husband came to live in London about five years ago, and I’ve stayed in contact with her. I’m hoping she’ll agree to find and open a London office for me, and run it.”

“She’s that good, is she?” Charles raised a brow.

“One of the smartest women in business I’ve ever met,” Hugo replied.

Charles sat down on the Chesterfield and leaned back, his expression thoughtful. He said, after a moment, “I don’t mean to pry, but I’m curious. Why do you need a London office?”

“I need a proper organization to handle my private money, and personal investments around the world. In other words, what I made myself, as opposed to what I inherited from the Silvers. Which is the whole real estate company, by the way. This is run in New York by Leonard Peters, who has been president of the corporation for years, even when Ben was alive. I’ve no worries about him; he’s doing a superlative job. He likes me to visit New York from time to time, but basically he’s in charge, reporting to me every week.”

“And when do you plan to go to New York?” Charles asked. “And do you plan to take Daphne with you every time you go? You did tell me you wanted to travel back and forth.”

“I did want to do that, but not anymore. I don’t believe it will be possible, or, quite frankly, very safe. The high seas are going to be highly dangerous, in my opinion.”

“War? You’re thinking of war, aren’t you?” Charles stared at his son-in-law intently.

Hugo nodded.

“So the kaiser is ready to march?”

“I believe he is. He’s building up the German navy, for one thing. And thankfully, Churchill’s doing the same with ours. He’s been doing that since he first became First Lord of the Admiralty in 1911. He’s very aware of the kaiser’s aims. As the Germans build one new dreadnought battleship, Churchill builds two for the Royal Navy. Then when Germany builds two, Churchill builds three.”

“An arms race, obviously.”

“Correct. That’s why Winston is always endeavoring to squeeze more and more money out of Parliament for his naval budget. I guess he drives them mad with his demands, but by God he’s right, as far as I’m concerned.”

“Asquith likes Winston, I’m told by my friends in the know,” Charles said. “And that’s good enough for me.”

“I’d go as far as to say that the prime minister admires Winston Churchill and likes Lloyd George. There are some good men in Asquith’s government and they’ll cope with a war. It’s a bloody awful thing to think about, though.”

“I trust Churchill’s judgment. He has enormous potential,” Charles remarked.

“I wish we could avoid a conflict, but unfortunately England promised France that we would come to their aid if they were invaded,” Hugo pointed out.

“I know. If push comes to shove, that’s what we’ll have to do, I suppose.”

“And God help us all.” Hugo shook his head, and looked off into the distance, as if seeing something only visible to himself. After a long moment, he said in a low voice, “Bad times are coming, and the world will never be the same again.”

Forty-four

“
T
hank you so much, Hanson, the room looks elegant yet nicely masculine,” Daphne said, smiling at the butler.

“It was a pleasure to help you, Lady Daphne, but I can’t really take credit for this. It’s all your doing.”

Daphne and Hanson were standing in the doorway of a small sitting room in the South Wing, which together they had redecorated as a library.

In the three days Hugo had been away, most of the furniture had been removed to the attics, and other pieces brought down. The room now boasted a mahogany bookcase, a small Georgian desk and desk chair, plus the sofa and an armchair which had stayed in place.

“It’ll be very comfortable for Mr. Hugo,” Hanson said, his eyes sweeping around the room. “And I’m glad we found those hunting prints, they look well in here, m’lady.”

“They do indeed, Hanson. Now, I just have to go and borrow a few books from the library to fill the bookcase.”

Hanson pondered for a moment, and said, “I do believe there are some boxes of leather-bound books in the attics above the East Wing, Lady Daphne. Mrs. Thwaites always stores things very well, and I’m certain they are in perfect condition. Shall I have them brought down for you to look at?”

“Certainly, Hanson, thank you very much. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I must pop into the nursery to see the baby.”

“Yes, my lady, of course, and the books will be here and unpacked in a jiffy.”

She smiled and thanked him again, and the two of them went their separate ways; Hanson to the East Wing, Daphne to the nursery farther down the corridor.

Miss Jane Willis was the baby nurse, and she had arrived at Cavendon a few days before the baby was born. She was in her midtwenties, young, energetic, and very caring of Alicia, and Daphne was pleased with her.

Miss Willis had trained at Norland College, where baby nurses and nannies were schooled in the best tradition. Daphne was glad she had listened to her mother.

It was Felicity who had suggested she hire a baby nurse for the first six weeks, to help get on her feet and also to create a proper routine for the child. Daphne thought of Miss Willis as a godsend.

Miss Willis held her fingers to her lips when Daphne appeared in the doorway of the nursery, and then smiled, beckoned her into the room. Alicia was fast asleep in her cradle, and Daphne looked down at her child, marveling at her yet again. “I’ll come back later,” she mouthed silently, and slipped out, made her way to the lavender room she shared with Hugo. He had a dressing room next door, which had a French daybed in it. “But that’s just for show, I hope,” Hugo had said when he had seen it. “I’ve no intention of sleeping alone. I want you next to me in bed always.” And that was the way it was, and always would be.

Daphne smiled to herself when she thought of Hugo’s comments, not only about their sleeping arrangements but many other things as well. He was very modern in his way of thinking, and forthright, and spoke to her openly about a variety of subjects.

Opening the wardrobe door, Daphne glanced at the dresses hanging there, wondering what to wear that evening for dinner. Something simple, she thought, since she and her mother would be the only two people dining. Unless Great-Aunt Gwendolyn had been invited to join them. She would ask Hanson about that later.

It seemed to Daphne that the house was deserted and quieter than usual today. Guy was at Oxford, Miles at Eton; Diedre had gone to Gloucestershire yesterday, to stay with Maxine Lowe at her house near Cirencester; and her father had driven to Northallerton this morning. He was to be a pallbearer at the funeral of one of his oldest friends. He had insisted Felicity stay at Cavendon, pointing out that there was no need for her to go. And Hugo was off on his business trip, and would be arriving in Zurich tonight. In particular, she missed his cheerful and loving presence, felt lost without him, and couldn’t wait for him to get back.

There was a knock on the door, and it opened at once. Peggy Swift looked into the bedroom, and said, “Could I speak to you for a minute, Lady Daphne?”

“Of course, Swift, come in,” Daphne answered with a warm smile. Peggy Swift had become her lady’s maid after her marriage, and Daphne liked her, favored her. She was a good worker, took wonderful care of Daphne’s clothes, and was efficient. And she had a nice disposition.

The young woman stepped into the room, closed the door behind her. Daphne looked across at her and frowned. “What is it, Peggy? You look upset.”

“No, I’m not really, m’lady, but something has been preying on my mind a bit, and I wanted to … well, get it off my chest. But first I must ask you not to repeat what I tell you.”

Daphne sat down in a chair and said, “I promise I won’t break your confidence.”

Peggy Swift liked and admired Lady Daphne, and genuinely trusted her, knowing her to be a good person, caring and compassionate. There was a sweetness about her that touched Peggy. Yet she now found she couldn’t speak out.

Daphne said, “It’s very private here, Peggy, as you well know. You can speak freely.” When still Peggy hesitated, Daphne said, “You’re not ill, are you?”

“No, no, it’s nothing like that, Lady Daphne. It’s just that I don’t know how to begin.”

“Just blurt it out. I’ve found that’s the only way,” Daphne advised, smiling encouragingly.

“It’s about Gordon, and me too, and I don’t want to get him into trouble. Will you keep my secret, m’lady?”

“I said I would, Peggy, and I mean it. So come along, tell me.” As she spoke Daphne couldn’t help wondering if Peggy was pregnant, but then dismissed this thought. Peggy wouldn’t fall into that trap again. Leaning back in the chair, she waited patiently.

“Well, you see, it’s like this. Sometimes Gordon and I sneak out at night. After our supper, and the cleaning up is finished. Gordon likes to go for a little stroll and have a cigarette. When the weather’s nice. And well, last summer we went out for a bit…” Peggy paused, took a deep breath, and said in a low voice, “Several times I think we were being watched.”

“What on earth do you mean?” Daphne sat up straighter in the chair, focusing on Peggy at once, concerned by this comment.

“When we were in the bluebell woods, having a little kiss, a cuddle, I heard noises. Like someone was there in the bushes, watching us. Rustling noises, twigs snapping. So we ran back to the house. And then another time, we’d gone to have a walk round the lake.”

Peggy shook her head, rested her hand on a chest of drawers. “I know we shouldn’t have been there—” She broke off, looking worried.

Daphne said, “Continue. Peggy, I’m not going to tell Hanson you were outside when you should have been indoors.”

“We went into the old boathouse, Lady Daphne. It was filled with moonlight and Gordon saw a stub of a candle and lit it. So we could see. I don’t like the dark. We were just having a cuddle … you know we’re going to get married when we can.” Peggy bit her lip, and after a moment, she continued. “A bit later the candle died, then the moon went behind the clouds, and Gordon lit a match. So we could see our way out. And I was facing the window and there was a man staring in, watching us.”

“Oh my goodness! That must have been upsetting!” Daphne exclaimed.

“It was, my lady. Gordon and I, well, we rushed outside. And we saw the man, he was running away.”

“Who was it?” Daphne asked, more concerned than ever.

“I don’t know, Lady Daphne. But it was a funny feeling, knowing somebody was watching us. Like a Peeping Tom. We came back to the house. And we didn’t go for strolls again.”

“And you’re sure it wasn’t anyone you know?” Daphne probed.

“Well, it was always dark, but who’d do that? Not anybody who works here, I don’t think.”

“That’s true.”

Peggy said, “Don’t give us away, Lady Daphne. Gordon doesn’t want to get sacked. I don’t either. I’m telling you this because it’s sort of … well, it’s worried me that someone is lurking around Cavendon.”

“I promise I won’t involve you and Gordon, Peggy, but I can’t just leave it like this. I’ve got to say something to someone.”

“But not Hanson or Mrs. Thwaites. Please, Lady Daphne.”

“I suppose I could speak to Miss Charlotte, and she in turn could have a word with Percy Swann. As the head gamekeeper he’s basically in charge of the estate. At least it would alert him.”

Peggy nodded, and after a moment’s hesitation, she said slowly, “There’s just one other thing, m’lady. Now that she’s left to go to another job, I can tell you that Mary Ince was once surprised by a man. He jumped out of the bushes and tried to grab her. But she was quick, and ran. He ran after her, but the minute she left the bluebell woods he stopped chasing her.”

Daphne was now genuinely alarmed by these stories, but she kept her expression neutral when she said, “I shall definitely confide in Miss Charlotte. She will know the best thing to do.”

“Will you keep us out of it, m’lady?” Peggy asked nervously.

“I will have to tell her about you and Gordon, Peggy. There’s no other way. But she won’t bring you into it, I promise you. On my word of honor.”

“I’m glad I told you, Lady Daphne, it’s really been bothering me. We can’t have trespassers lurking around Cavendon, now can we?”

“We certainly can’t … Leave it to me, Peggy, and in the meantime, let us decide what I might wear for dinner.”

Forty-five

“
Y
ou look so well, Mama,” Daphne said, sounding surprised, staring at her mother’s reflection in the mirror on the dressing table. “Better than I’ve seen you for a long time.”

“I feel better, Daphne,” Felicity answered, and smiled back at her daughter’s reflection.