But Mr. Lucas accepts with pleasure. “
That was what I wanted to know. I was puzzled about Dick Duvane though, for I knew that he and Lucas had been together for so long.
However, I suppose they parted company sometimes. For instance, Dick hadn’t been on the ship with Lucas.
The dinner party was to take place at the end of that week. I was glad there was not long to wait before I saw Lucas again.
Kate had been a little withdrawn after her confession. I think she must have been wondering whether she had told me too much.
“We got through our lessons with moderate ease, but even The Count of Monte Cristo did not entirely hold her attention.
She was not very interested in the dinner party because she was not to attend. If I were doing something she liked to share in it. She may have regretted her confession, but in a way it had made ours a more intimate relationship.
The evening of the dinner party arrived. I dressed care fully in a gown of lapis lazuli blue which had streaks of gold in it so that it really did resemble the stone. It was one of the dresses I had brought with me when I had visited Felicity. Aunt Maud had said there would certainly be dinner parties and I should have something becoming to wear.
I dressed my yellow hair high on my head and I noticed with pleasure that the colour of my dress made my eyes look more blue. I think I could say I was looking my best.
Kate came in to see me before I went down.
“You look quite pretty,” she said.
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“It’s true. Is that a compliment if it’s true?”
“Yes, it is. It’s flattery that can be false.”
“You sound just like a governess.”
“Well, I am a governess.”
She sat on the bed and laughed at me.
“It will be a boring old party,” she said.
“I don’t know why you think it’s going to be such fun. Is it because that old Lucas is going to be there?”
“He’s not exactly old.”
“Oh, he is. He’s ever so old. You’re old and he’s older than you.”
“You think that because you are young. It is a matter of comparisons.”
“Well, he’s old and he can’t walk straight either.”
“How do you know?”
“One of the maids told me. He was nearly drowned and it almost killed him.”
“Yes, she’s right. I was nearly drowned too.”
“But you’re all right. He’s not.” I was silent and she went on: “The old Rev is going to be there with his awful wife … and the doctor all the most boring people you can think of.”
“They may be boring to you but not to me. I’m looking forward to it.”
“That’s why your eyes sparkle and look bluer. Tell me about it after.”
“I will.”
“Promise … everything.”
“I’ll tell you all I think you should know.”
“I want to know everything.”
“All that is good for you.”
She put out her tongue at me.
“Governess,” she said.
“Not the most pleasant part of your anatomy,” I said.
“What’s that?”
“Work it out for yourself. Now I’m going down.”
She grimaced.
“All right. Don’t let that Lucas persuade you to go back.”
“I won’t.”
“Promise.”
“I promise that.”
She smiled.
“I’ll tell you something. Gramps will be there, so it won’t be so boring after all.”
The guests were already assembling. I went down and very soon we went in to dinner. I found myself sitting next to Lucas.
“What a pleasure!” he said.
“I am so glad you came.”
“I told you I would.”
“What happened to Dick Duvane? I hear he has gone away.”
“It’s not permanent. He’s just gone away for a spell.”
“I’m surprised. I thought he was your good and faithful servant.”
“I’ve never looked upon him as an ordinary servant, nor has he regarded himself as such, I believe.”
“That’s why I’m so surprised he’s gone.”
“Dick and I used to travel a lot together. We had an adventurous time.
Now I’m stuck at home . can’t get about as I used to. Poor Dick, he gets restive. He’s gone off on his own . just for a spell. “
“I thought he was so devoted to you.”
“He is … and I to him. But because I’m afflicted and restricted, there’s no reason why he should be. How are you getting along here… really? I suppose we can’t discuss it here … right in the middle of the family. You must be getting to know them well.”
“Not all. It is the first time I’ve seen the Dowager Lady Perrivale.”
He looked along the table to where she sat. She looked rather formidable. It was indeed the first time I had seen her. She had had to be helped downstairs and I gathered that she spent most of her time in her own room. The Major was sitting beside her, carrying on an animated conversation with her which she seemed to enjoy. Tristan at the other end of the table was talking to the doctor’s wife.
Lucas was right: we could not speak of the family at their dinner table.
Conversation was general, embracing the Queen and her advancing years, the merits of Gladstone and Salisbury and suchlike.
I was not paying a great deal of attention. I so much wanted to be alone with Lucas. There was a great deal to say. I was longing to ask him what he thought about the drunken sailor.
I really believed then that, had it been possible to talk intimately with Lucas, I would have told him everything at that point.
With the ladies I left the men over the port and went into the drawing-room. To my surprise I found myself seated next to the Dowager Lady Perrivale. I thought perhaps it might have been arranged and she wanted to inspect Kate’s governess.
She was one of those women who must have been formidable in her prime.
I could see from her face that she was accustomed to having her own way. I remembered what I had heard of her; how she had restored Perrivale Court when she brought her money into the family, and I imagined she had a certain fondness for the place.
“I’m glad to have the opportunity of a chat, Miss Cranleigh,” she said.
“My daughter-in-law tells me that you are doing very well with Kate. My goodness, that is an achievement. The governesses that child has had! And not one to stay more than a month or two.”
“I haven’t completed a month yet. Lady Perrivale.”
“I do hope you will… and many months. My daughter-in-law is so happy with the outcome. She said Kate is a
