Pride of the Courtneys (7 page)

‘Very well,' I sighed, ‘but I should dearly love to know. But Millicent, you say, how can she be afraid of me concerning Bassett?'

Georgiana looked at me strangely.

‘If you haven't noticed Bassett's interest in you, you're the only one who hasn't. And, of course, it's contrary to mother's and Millicent's plans.'

‘Interest in me?' I was amazed. ‘ You must be dreaming, why we positively bristle when we're in each other's company.'

‘
You
do, I know you think you don't like him, but he doesn't bristle, as you call it. Unless it's because he knows you dislike him and it upsets him.'

‘Upsets him? Rubbish. I don't know where you've got this foolish idea from, but the sooner you forget it, the better.'

‘I'm sorry I've made you angry. But it's true, I'm sure.'

‘But we still haven't solved the problem of Cedric Rothbone, Charles and you,' I said.

‘But I don't know whether Charles feels the same about me, do I?'

‘No,' I said slowly, ‘not for sure, but I've a feeling he does.'

‘Really?' Georgiana was joyful again. How turbulent are the emotions of those in love, I thought, in the depths of despair one moment and radiant the next.

‘We will think of something, my dear,' I said. ‘You won't marry Cedric Rothbone, if I can help it.'

And I had to leave her to change for dinner.

During the next few weeks, the family's treatment of me remained much the same, though Georgiana and I were restored to our former friendship. Lady Courtney was hostile and never let an opportunity slip of belittling me. Sir Hugh occasionally called me Victoria, but, on the whole, he seemed to be getting used to coming across me unexpectedly, and the shock he had experienced when first meeting me, grew less each time. Although at times I was aware of him watching me in a strange way.

Bassett seemed cool towards me and I noticed that he paid greater attention not only to Millicent but also to Evelyn Corby. I was annoyed to find that it affected me a little. I was not jealous, I told myself, how could I be when I disliked the man so? Serves him right if he does end up with the simpering Millicent, I thought.

But I could not imagine that a girl like Millicent, with no thought in her pretty head beyond securing a man and making a good marriage, would make a man like Bassett Courtney happy. And somehow, even though I disliked him, I thought he deserved happiness.

Once, when he encountered me in the hall and it was difficult for him to avoid me, I found myself wondering exactly what he thought of the two young women beneath his roof—Millicent and me. And of Evelyn the constant visitor to Courtney Hall

I was sure, in spite of what Georgiana had said, that he felt much the same about me as I did for him, that the dislike was mutual, for why else should he avoid me ever since the episode in the treasure room. His concern for my welfare, I decided, was merely because he was a good landlord to all the villagers, and I came under much the same category, I was his protégée and he wanted no one to think that he could not look after me as well as his Uncle James had done.

It was strange to think that we had the same uncle and aunt and yet were not related. But some mystery tied me to the Courtneys I was sure of it now. Something to do with my mother, and, though I could not ask outright for it seemed to be a closely guarded secret, I was determined to find out one day what it was all about.

‘Do you think, Louella,' Bassett said when we met in the hall, the frown never, leaving his face, ‘that you could find time to come for another ride with me one afternoon, or are you otherwise engaged with Dr Corby?'

‘Of course not, Bassett. I should like to come, thank you.'

Naturally, I did not want to go riding with him whilst he was in such a mood, but what else was there to say?

When the master commanded, all must obey.

‘Good,' and he strode away without another word.

The proposed ride through the Courtney village this time, took place two afternoons later, but it held none of the pleasure of the first outing we had had together, which Millicent's arrival had spoilt. I felt I would never again be at such ease with Bassett as I had been before that carriage had rolled into view.

Bassett remained morose and hardly seemed to remember that I was with him.

He sat erect and tall on his horse, his brow creased, his mouth a hard line and his eyes filled with some deep emotion I could not read.

It seemed now that I had only Georgiana and Charles as my friends in this household, which I was supposed to regard as home.

We returned to Courtney Hall and I was more miserable than I had been for a long time, if that was possible for I had not often touched the heights of happiness during my stay at Courtney Hall.

Bassett helped me to dismount and again held me for a moment or two and looked down at me as he had done near the stream on our first ride. But now there was no sorrow mingled with the anger, as I had seen before, now merely anger.

‘You have not enjoyed your outing. Miss Lloyd?' The words were harsh.

My temper, for so long held in check, flared uncontrollably.

‘How can you expect me to enjoy it, when you have been like a—like a—grumpy old bear? I can't understand you, any of you, except Georgiana.'

And I tore myself away from his grasp and ran from the stables towards the house. It was a long way and soon I was forced to slow to a walk. I risked a glance round to see what Bassett had done.

He was standing where I had left him, staring after me. Though it was too far away to see the expression on his face, I had the impression he was dejected, for his arms hung loosely by his side and his body slumped in a way I had never seen the arrogant Bassett stand.

I shrugged and entered the house. Why should I care what he felt when he had behaved so abominably this afternoon? But I was startled to find that I did care, and I was annoyed with myself for doing so.

Charles and Evelyn Corby were guests once more at the house that evening and now that Georgiana had found I was not in love with Charles and that there was good reason to hope that he was not with me, she lost no time in spending every possible moment in his company, and more often than not in mine also. For I was a good cover for her.

She knew her family would disapprove of her interest in the doctor, and was quite content, for the moment, to let them think that I was the object of Charles' attentions. Consequently, the three of us spent, much time together and because none of the others guessed the truth, the idea that a marriage was imminent between Charles and me grew stronger. Georgiana, they thought was merely being a good friend and helping matters along in chaperoning me.

I was amused, for I saw no harm in it, to see that Evelyn was almost beside herself, in her quiet way, at the thought of her brother becoming involved with a girl and nearing marriage. No doubt she not only loved him jealously and possessively, but she realised her own future was at stake. A man's duty was to his wife and future family before his sister, whatever sacrifices she had made for him in the past.

But I thought she still believed she held considerable sway with Charles and that if he mentioned marriage, she would begin her relentless campaign to discourage it.

She had now joined Lady Courtney and Millicent in their hatred of me. And hatred it was now, for there was no mistaking the viciousness in their remarks to me.

They ridiculed my clothes, my hairstyle, my upbringing, even Uncle James, saying he was a weak character who had lived almost in poverty all his life, marrying Virginia Lloyd, a country girl with no birth or breeding. My mother, being her sister, was presumed to be in the same category and consequently, so was I. But they hardly ever referred directly to my mother or my father. Only by such remarks referring to Aunt Virginia, and to home-breakers and such, was I aware that they were really referring to Victoria Lloyd, my mother.

And once I overheard Lady Courtney say to Millicent,

‘We shall indeed be fortunate if Dr Corby will marry Louella for she has little to offer any man. You need have no fear of her as a rival for Bassett's affections, I assure you, my dear Millicent. My son has more sense than to fall for a girl of her breeding, unlike his father.'

Such remarks were unbearable at times, and looking back, I can hardly understand why I stood it all. I could easily have run away and found myself a post as a governess. But for some reason I stayed where I was.

Probably I realised that if I crossed the Courtneys too much, I should never keep a governess's post for long, for their power to make or break a person was undeniable.

That evening after the dismal afternoon ride with Bassett, something happened which was to drive all other thoughts out of my head for some time.

We were seated in the drawing-room after dinner, when the gentlemen joined us.

‘We have just been telling Charles about the Courtney dagger, mother,' said Bassett. ‘He is most interested to see it.' He turned to Evelyn Corby.

‘Millicent, I know, is well acquainted with its history Miss Corby, but perhaps you have not heard of our famous dagger?'

‘Lady Courtney has related to me some of its history and the superstition surrounding it, yes, but I have yet to see it.'

‘Then you shall,' he turned to his father. ‘ Since Miss Corby desires to see it, we shall not trouble her to go to the gallery. Perhaps you would fetch the dagger, father?'

‘Certainly, my boy, with pleasure.' And Sir Hugh bustled off, proud to have the opportunity of showing off one of his treasures. In fact, the greatest treasure.

Whilst he was gone, the talk centred on the dagger.

‘Bassett, of course, being such a strong-minded young man,' remarked Lady Courtney, the pride apparent in her tone when speaking of her beloved son, ‘does not whole-heartedly agree with the superstition. Miss Corby. He is too practical to believe in the dagger's powers.'

‘I am inclined to agree with him, I'm afraid, Lady Courtney. I cannot see that a jewelled dagger, however beautiful, can have the power to change men's fortunes in the way you have told me. It seems to me that because they parted with the dagger, they brought about their own downfall in believing so strongly in it. They thought disaster inevitable, and so did nothing to prevent it.'

‘Very true,' said Bassett. ‘ Though the people who parted with the dagger cannot have believed the superstition, otherwise they would never have parted with it. Though mother says I am sceptical of its powers, which I am, I would never dream of parting with it, whatever its monetary value.'

At that moment, in contradiction to Bassett's very words. Sir Hugh burst into the room.

‘The dagger—it's gone,' his voice rang through the room.

All eyes turned towards him, shocked.

Bassett was the first to recover.

‘What do you mean, father, gone?'

Sir Hugh spread his hands helplessly.

‘It's just gone from the cabinet.'

Bassett strode from the room and with one accord we all rose and followed him.

‘Someone must have stolen it,' decided Lady Courtney. ‘We shall find out who the thief is.' And with a shock I saw she glanced at me.

We reached the treasure room. Bassett was already standing before the glass cabinet staring at the empty black velvet cushion, a puzzled frown on his face.

‘Peculiar,' he murmured, ‘most peculiar. The cabinet is intact. Not a mark on it, the thief must have found a key.'

He turned to Lady Courtney.

‘Mother, you keep the third key. Mine is here,' he held his key in the palm of his broad hand, having taken it from his waistcoat pocket. ‘And father has his.'

‘I will see if mine is in its usual place.' And she left us.

‘Dear, dear, what can have happened?' Sir Hugh dithered. ‘The dagger gone, misfortune will befall us now, for certain.'

‘Now, father, it may be all right. Don't distress yourself,' said Bassett, though the worried expression never left his face.

‘We must question the servants,' said Sir Hugh. ‘ No one can get into the house and up here without us knowing. And besides, who knew where to find a key?'

Lady Courtney returned.

‘My key is here, but it was in a slightly different place to its normal position.' Her voice rang down the long gallery, whilst the Courtney ancestors seemed to listen from their portraits.

‘Someone borrowed it and then returned it, hoping it would not be noticed.'

‘But who? An outsider would not risk creeping about the house like that,' said Bassett.

‘Then it must be someone in the house,' said Lady Courtney, triumphantly.

Millicent moved forward and laid her hand on Bassett's arm raising her troubled eyes appealingly to his face.

‘Bassett, dear, I hate to say this, but—but …' she whispered.

‘What is it, Millicent?' Bassett's tone was sharp with impatience.

‘I saw Louella come out of this room with the dagger this morning.'

‘No, no,' I cried. ‘I have never touched the dagger.'

I was stunned. How could she tell such lies? I had known her to be my enemy, but this was beyond normal dislike. This was hatred, vicious and cruel.

‘Be quiet, girl,' rapped Lady Courtney, whilst everyone else seemed shocked to silence. I felt Georgiana move to my side. But I hardly knew what this dreadful thing was that had happened to me. My instinct told me that my enemies had planned this mischief to disgrace me.

Georgiana took my hand and faced the rest of them.

‘Of course she didn't steal it, how can you think such a thing? Bassett, you don't believe it, do you?'

But Bassett did not answer her. He merely watched my face, an unreadable expression on his.

‘Georgiana, hold your tongue. How dare you contradict your cousin Millicent and side with that—that mischief-maker?' Lady Courtney almost spat the words at me, she was so angry.