Page 31 of The Affairs of Ashmore Castle

‘Well, she’s pretty, I suppose,’ Giles said vaguely, looking longingly at some milking records.

‘Pretty? She’s generally thought quite lovely,’ Maud said.

‘She’s certainly had a great advantage bestowed on her,’ Linda said sharply. ‘Not every girl gets exposed to high German society like that – and before she’s even out.’

‘All the German boys were very correct,’ Maud said. ‘I had no fears. It’s the military training, of course – they’re taught how to behave themselves in the cadets. It’s something we could do with more of in this country. And I must say, they all look very well in their uniforms. Very dashing.’ She paused for a moment, suddenly remembering a certain young cavalry officer with whom she had danced in her come-out year. He had been killed in the Kush. She suppressed a sigh.

‘I suppose she’s fallen in love with someone,’ Giles said resignedly, since he seemed bound to hear it all.

‘Never mind that,’ Linda interrupted. ‘Is anyone interested in her? Did you receive an offer for her, Mama?’

‘I did not go there with that intention. I wished merely to show her a little, and harden her off for next Season. But, as it happens—’

‘Ah, I knew it!’ Linda exclaimed. She hoped it wasn’t anyone too exalted. If she had only had Rachel’s opportunities . . . She’d had to settle for a viscount, and a ruined one at that.

‘As it happens,’ Maud said, ‘I did get the impression that Prince Paul of Usingen was taking a serious interest in her. He was at pains to get to know her – in a very quiet and proper way, needless to say. He is perfectly well-bred. And he was very attentive to me. He’s somewhat older than her, but that is not necessarily a disadvantage. Vicky and Bobo have known him for years, and his estate is a good one. I made what discreet enquiries I could – one does not wish to be taken in—’ she threw a cold look at Linda, whose carapace was not even dented by it, ‘and it seems from what one can gather that he is very wealthy. He gave a party at his house in Darmstadt while we were there – a sister was hostess for him – and it seemed very handsome. Not only that, but he asked his sister to show me around it, as if he had some particular reason for impressing me.’

Giles sighed. ‘So you want to marry poor little Rachel off to this rich elderly German?’

‘He’s not elderly, Stainton, he is about my age. And there’s no question of marrying her yet. But I thought you would wish to know. You are legally her guardian.’

‘Yes, I suppose I am. Thank you, Mama, for keeping me informed.’

Maud looked at him sharply. ‘There is,’ she said, ‘the matter of her dowry.’

Linda snorted. ‘No use asking him for money, Mama. He won’t even pay me the allowance Papa gave me. Why should he put his hand in his pocket for Rachel when he won’t for me – and I have two poor little children dependent on me,’ she concluded pathetically.

‘Because,’ said Giles impatiently, ‘I am responsible for Rachel, and I’m not responsible for you.’

‘Linda, you had better leave,’ Maud said. ‘I have private matters to discuss with your brother.’

Giles made a shooing gesture that embraced them both. ‘I would be glad if you would both leave. I have a great deal of work to do. And, with respect, Mother, I am not going to discuss dowries with you now. You’ve said yourself there’s no question of Rachel marrying this year—’

‘One needs to know what one is working with,’ said Maud, her nostrils flaring in annoyance.

‘At the moment, I have no idea what I shall be able to provide for the girls. You know very well I am in the process of sorting out the estate. By Christmas I might have some idea of what can be spared, but not now.’

‘I told you so,’ said Linda. ‘Stingy, that’s what he is. What is it, Giles? The Jam Kingdom not rich enough for you? Or are you saving it all for the Jam Prince?’

There’s no point in getting angry with Linda, he told himself. She’s so steeped in envy that everything that comes out of her mouth is pickled.

‘Go, please. I have work to do. Go!’

They went. The dogs, who were lying beside his desk, had been roused by the forcefulness of his last command, and came to see if he was all right, or if a cold nose pressed into his palm might perhaps make him feel better. He caressed their rough coats and unexpectedly silky ears, and they beat their iron-bar tails in joy at his attention. How easy it was to please them, he thought. And he had a resurgence of the old longing, to be anywhere but here. The friends he had entertained at Easter had roused the sleeping urge to run with their talk of an expedition that was in planning, to the Valley of the Kings in December. Howard Carter was to work further on KV20, which had been thoroughly blocked by rubble carried in by floodwater, and never cleared beyond the first chamber. It was thought this time they would break through.

He pushed the thoughts from his head and the dogs from his knees and sat down at the desk to address himself again to the estate. His proper work.

‘I’m going to be here for a while – a couple of weeks, perhaps,’ said Mr Cowling at dinner. ‘There’s a lot to be looked into. But you needn’t stay, dear – you can go back to Northampton if you like. You could take that little maid with you, as you seem to like her. It’s time you had a lady’s maid. Mrs Deering says she’s a good girl, and she’d like to see her in a permanent job.’

‘I do like her,’ Nina said, ‘and I don’t mind having her as my maid, if you really think I need one. But, oh, please, couldn’t I stay here? I don’t want to go back to Northampton.’

He looked pleased, but said, ‘You needn’t worry about me. I’m used to being on my own.’

‘I want to stay with you, of course,’ Nina said, embarrassed at the misunderstanding, ‘but I really like it here. I much prefer it to Beechcroft House.’

‘I don’t see how you can,’ he said flatly.

‘But I do. I think it’s beautiful, and spacious, and elegant. And I love the town – so compact, and everyone’s so friendly. I don’t know anyone in Northampton, and it’s too big to get to know people. Oh, please, please believe me – I love this house. I would like . . .’ She hesitated. ‘I would like it if we could live here all the time.’