Homecoming (51 page)

‘What house?' she asked in confusion.

‘Ynysangharad House.'

‘Mansel, you've lived there since you were six years old. If you don't know it by now, you never will.'

‘Sometimes, you need to take a fresh look at your surroundings. Do you realise there's a whole wing closed off with eight large rooms that are never used?'

‘I thought there'd be more.'

‘And they aren't small. One would make a superb drawing room, another a dining room that could comfortably seat twelve. Upstairs, there's a room large enough for a master bedroom with two dressing rooms attached. And three other full-sized bedrooms besides. One of which would make a cosy nursery,' he added, with a significant look.

‘You'd like us to set up home in Ynysangharad House?' she questioned, colouring at the mention of children.

‘Would you mind very much if we lived with Aunt Edyth?' he asked seriously. ‘Not because I'm her heir and due to inherit Ynysangharad House, but because I can't bear the thought of leaving her alone at her time of life.'

‘Have you asked Aunt Edyth if we can live with her?'

‘No. I thought I'd better ask you first, as you are soon to become my lady and mistress.'

‘You know I adore Aunt Edyth.'

‘There's a difference between adoring an aunt and living with her.'

‘I can't think of anyone I'd rather live with, apart from you.' She smiled and then just as she'd hoped, he kissed her.

‘Goodbye, Mother.' The three-week Christmas holiday, to which Sali had looked forward for the entire autumn term, had begun in a whirl of balls and parties, and passed in a flash with too few private moments between her and Mansel for her liking. She had difficulty believing that she was already saying goodbye to her family.

Gwyneth raised her head from the pillows on her chaise longue and offered her cheek to her daughter. ‘I still don't see why you have to return to college when you are marrying Mansel James in the summer.'

‘Because education is never wasted, Gwyneth,' Harry said firmly. ‘Sali is only six months away from qualifying as a teacher and that will be an achievement for her to be proud of.'

Gwyneth fell back on to the pillows. ‘You will write, Sali?' she murmured.

‘Yes, Mother.' Sali kissed Gwyneth's pale cheek. ‘And I will be back at Easter.'

‘I hope that holiday won't prove as exhausting as this one. All these parties …'

‘If you rest now, Gwyneth, you might be up to dining downstairs this evening for once,' Harry said irritably. ‘The carriage is waiting, Sali, and your boxes are loaded.' He looked his daughter up and down. In her plain black walking suit, white blouse and boots, she looked a very different woman from the exotic creature in white lace who had graced the ball the night before Christmas Eve.

Geraint, Gareth, Llinos and the servants were waiting at the foot of the stairs. Sali shook hands with the servants, hugged Mari, embraced her brothers and sister, and followed her father to the carriage.

‘A little extra in case you need it.' Harry removed two five-pound notes from his wallet as the coachman set off up Taff Street.

‘It's very good of you, Father, but I don't need it.'

‘You might, keep it safe.' He pressed it into her hand. ‘I want you to know the whole family are happy with your engagement to Mansel. Even your mother, although she doesn't show it, and I think Edyth has been planning the match since the day you were born.'

‘I'm very lucky.'

‘Mansel is luckier. And I'll be on hand to make sure that he'll do everything he can to make you happy.' The carriage drew to a halt in the station yard and Harry waited for the coachman to open the door and fold down the steps. ‘Take care of yourself.'

‘And you.' Sali flung her arms around her father's neck. ‘I'll work hard to make you proud of me.'

‘I couldn't be any prouder of you than I am now, darling.' He kissed her. ‘Well, well, look who is here.' His dark eyes shone with mischief as Mansel charged up to the carriage window. ‘Aunt Edyth said you had business in Cardiff.'

‘I do, sir.'

‘Then you'll make sure that Sali changes trains safely without losing her luggage.'

‘I most certainly will, sir.'

The coachman appeared with a porter. Sali's trunk, hatbox and bags were loaded on to a trolley, and she, Mansel and her father were swept up with the crowds on to the platform. The train was in and a few minutes later she found herself leaning out of the window waving her handkerchief to her father who grew into a smaller, more solitary figure as the train drew out of the station.

‘This business in Cardiff?' Sali asked. Mansel had bribed the guard to keep their carriage clear of other passengers.

‘Is very urgent.' He sat next to her on the bench seat.

‘How urgent?'

‘Urgent enough to make me want to hold your hand all the way to Cardiff. But your father warned me that we have to part like cousins. We don't want to make any of your fellow students on the Swansea platform suspicious.'

‘My fellow students won't be, but it might be a little difficult with certain other people,' Sali murmured, as the door to the corridor opened. ‘Harriet, how nice of you to join us.'

‘Yes, how nice.' Mansel gritted his teeth and forced a smile.

‘The stupid guard told me that this carriage was reserved. It's quite a coincidence seeing you both on the train. You going to Swansea as well, Mansel?' Harriet took the seat opposite them.

‘Cardiff on business. I timed the train so I could help Sali with her luggage.'

‘How considerate. But then, if you are only going to Cardiff, what time train are you getting back?'

‘The ten o'clock.' He beamed as her face fell. ‘I have a gentleman-only dinner in my club.'

‘I was hoping to have another chat with you about my Bible Circle.'

‘I am afraid it will have to wait until some other time, Miss Hopkins. I promised to help Miss Watkin Jones revise her knowledge of mathematics for her forthcoming examinations.' He turned to Sali. ‘Now, what can you tell me about Pythagoras?'

The
Swansea Girls
series
by
Catrin Collier

  
  

For more information on
Catrin Collier
and
Accent Press
titles, please visit

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