Page 71 of Rivals at Ashmore Castle

Bobby half rose. ‘Do you want to be private?’

‘No, no, don’t disturb yourself, m’dear. In fact, better you do hear. Something’s happened.’

Nina noted the heavy cream paper of the letter in his hand, caught a glimpse of a crest at the top. ‘It looks official.’

‘It came by special messenger,’ said Mr Cowling. ‘From Buckingham Palace. The King wants me. After I went to all this trouble to be here with you!’ he exclaimed, exasperated. ‘If it was anyone else…But I can’t say no to the King if he summons me.’

‘Of course not,’ Nina said. ‘How long will you be gone?’

‘I must go up tonight. He wants to see me tomorrow morning. I may be able to come back tomorrow night – depends what he wants me for – or the next day for sure.’

‘Well, this baby won’t be born tomorrow or the next day,’ she said. ‘So you needn’t worry.’

‘But I can’t leave you all alone so near your time.’

‘I’ll stay if you like,’ Bobby said.

Cowling looked relieved. ‘Would you? I was hoping you’d offer.’

‘I’ll stay until you get back,’ Bobby said. ‘I’ll send a message and my maid can pack a bag and bring it over.’ She beamed. ‘It will be fun!’

Cowling bent to kiss Nina’s cheek. ‘I feel better about leaving you now. I won’t stay away longer than I have to. And if you feel at all anxious, send straight away for Dr Nicholson or Mrs Billington. Don’t delay because you don’t want to be a nuisance, just send for them. Promise me.’

‘I promise,’ she said. ‘Do you know what the King wants you for?’

‘It doesn’t say. Some financial problem, I’ve no doubt,’ he said. ‘Well, I must go and get ready. There’s a train at six that I can catch if Moxton can get packed in time.’

Nina hadn’t had any appetite for weeks. But Bobby had gone straight to the kitchen, first to send a message to Sutton to pack a bag and bring it over, and second to enlist Mrs Deering’s support. The result was that as the sun declined and the day began to cool, Nina was helped out into the shade of the tiny garden, made comfortable with cushions and a footstool, and fed with hot buttered toast and gooseberry jam followed by raspberries and cream. ‘I wanted to give you jelly,’ Bobby said, ‘but it takes ages to set in this weather. Mrs Deering has it in the coldest bit of the pantry, and you can have it for supper – or breakfast, if you prefer.’

‘Jelly for breakfast!’ Nina protested.

‘Why not? I remember when I was at your stage jelly was about all I could fancy. You should have whatever you like while your husband’s away.’

‘I must say it’s a relief not to face four courses and have him worry that I’m not eating enough.’

‘There’ll be no soup-fish-and-entrée nonsense while I’m in charge. If there’s anything you fancy, just tell me, and I’ll make Mrs Deering prepare it.’

‘This is perfect,’ Nina said. ‘Toast is always such a comfort, and I like the sharpness of the gooseberries.’

She hesitated, and Bobby urged her, ‘What? You’ve thought of something.’

‘Champagne,’ Nina said. ‘I keep thinking champagne would be nice, if it was cold enough.’

‘That’s my girl!’ Bobby said, beaming.

The jelly was set enough to eat by ten o’clock but by then Nina didn’t want it. She had rather a stomach-ache, and thought the mixture of things she’d had for dinner, while delightful at the time, had not sat well together. She didn’t say anything to Bobby in case it sounded like a criticism, but as Bobby chatted and her replies grew shorter, her friend became aware that all was not well.

‘It’s just a stomach-ache,’ Nina said.

Bobby cocked her head. ‘A stomach-ache?’

‘I expect I ate too quickly.’ But Nina winced and hunched up a little.

‘Show me where it hurts,’ Bobby said. Nina gestured. ‘That’s not your stomach. I think we’d better send for Dr Nicholson.’

‘Oh, no,’ Nina said as Bobby jumped to her feet. ‘I don’t want to make a fuss.’

‘You promised, remember? I’ll go and talk to Mrs Deering, and then we’ll get you up to bed.’