Part 18 (1/2)
”When I'd stopped reeling, I sort of fudged it,” he said. ”I told him I must think about it, because he was, after all, fifteen years older than her. I also pointed out that I must ascertain how Daphne herself felt about him, if anything. And whether or not she would consider him as a suitor for her hand in marriage.”
”I understand. It's all you could do. And when does he want an answer?” Charlotte asked, looking across at him, biting her lip.
”As you know, he went to Zurich for a meeting. He returns to Yorks.h.i.+re on the thirtieth of July. He's coming back for the big summer ball on the second of August. I told him I would give him an answer then.”
”I see. What does Felicity think?”
”Actually, I have not discussed it with her yet. She's been rather under the weather since the supper dance, unusually nervous and irritable. I didn't have the heart to bring it up now. I thought I'd wait until later this week.”
Charlotte nodded, but remained silent, her expression reflective.
After a moment, the earl glanced at her, his eyes narrowing. ”Why do I have the strangest feeling that you're not surprised?” he said.
”Because I'm not.”
He was obviously perplexed. ”Why aren't you?”
”Because a twelve-year-old girl, Cecily Swann to be precise, spotted Hugo's infatuation with Daphne when it was actually happening. That was at tea on the very day he arrived. She told Alice that he only had eyes for Daphne, and I was present when she said this. So he did speak the truth, Charles, it was love at first sight. He's serious all right.”
Charles sat staring at Charlotte, unable to say a word, wondering if she actually approved of Hugo courting Daphne. Finding his voice finally, he said, ”You sound as if you think I should consider his proposition.”
”Why not? If Daphne has no objection. Hugo is a charming man, interesting, worldly, good-looking, and, I have discovered, rather a kind soul, very caring. And I understand he's successful in business.”
”How can I possibly entertain such a preposterous idea! She's pregnant by another man, for G.o.d's sake!” Charles exclaimed, sounding indignant. ”And if that little situation isn't an impediment to a marriage between the two of them, then I don't know what is.”
”Charles, please, calm down. Don't become angry with me. I'm only trying to help. Let's go and walk around the lake, exchange a few thoughts ... like I used to with your father. A bit of fresh air and the tranquility outside does wonders.” Charlotte stood up. ”Come on, let's go and see the swans.”
Thirty-two.
They walked around the rim of the lake, not speaking, lost in their own thoughts, but compatible in their silence.
Charlotte knew that Charles was troubled, at a loss, and so she remained quiet for the moment, wanting to give him time to think. In her heart of hearts she believed that Hugo's arrival was a G.o.dsend, and that his falling in love with Daphne had been a miracle of sorts.
However, she wasn't sure Charles would see it that way. She could only hope he would understand the sense a liaison between Hugo and Daphne made. Marriage would protect his daughter.
As two swans floated by, Charles said, ”The Inghams have swans because of the first earl, Humphrey.”
”Yes, and I know why,” she answered. ”Do you?”
”Because my ancestor wanted to honor your ancestor for his loyalty and devotion, and he promised James the Inghams would always have swans on this lake, to commemorate their name, Swann.'”
”And ever since, the Inghams and the Swanns have been intertwined, involved with each other in a variety of ways, because of the friends.h.i.+p of our founding fathers,” she remarked. ”It's a bond no one can break, you know ... it's lasted far too long now, over one hundred and sixty years.”
Charles nodded, paused, and looked at her. ”Ask anyone around here, What do the Swanns know about the Inghams?' And they'll all answer, What don't they know?'”
”Yes, we do know everything, I've been led to believe.”
”You have the Swann record books, Charlotte, don't you?”
”I do. Because I am the senior member of the family.” She peered at him quizzically. ”But why are you suddenly bringing this up? You don't want to see them, do you? Because you can't, you know, it's never been allowed.”
”I'd never ask that of you, Charlotte. No Ingham has the right. But I was just thinking how much the Inghams have relied on the Swanns over the generations. And how I always depend on you. I usually come to you when I have a problem, I always have. Naturally, I discuss things with Felicity, seek her advice, as she does mine. But it's your judgment I do really depend on, and I think that's because my father did.”
Charlotte did not reply to this comment, although Charles was right.
He glanced at her. ”Well, he did, didn't he?”
”Quite often, but not always.” She gave him a small smile. ”Sometimes he thought he knew better. And, of course, that was true, he was a very smart man. And wise. But let's talk about Hugo and Daphne, shall we? That's why we met this afternoon.”
”You're absolutely correct. So tell me, what do you think about the situation? Should it be considered? Would it work?”
”I think it could work ... providing Daphne is willing. We know exactly where Hugo stands, his intentions, but what about her? It has to be her decision. She has to be happy with it,” Charlotte responded.
Charles exclaimed, ”I wouldn't have it any other way! I don't think she could possibly be in love with him. However, if she likes him, trusts him, and if they get along well, then maybe a marriage between them would have a chance. But it must be her choice. I would never force her.”
Charlotte looked pleased, and said swiftly, ”I'm so glad you're saying this, Charles, because if they were together it would solve so many problems for Daphne, and for the entire family. It would be a relief for everyone.”
”I can see that now ... and sometimes a marriage that is based on overwhelming pa.s.sion dies out quickly, loses its fire, at least so I've been given to understand by some chaps I know.”
”And sometimes a pa.s.sionate man can make a marriage work beautifully ... if his partner is willing to go along. And just think, Charles, Daphne might genuinely welcome Hugo with open arms. The program for her, for the next six months, is going to be tough, really hard. She has to go on living as she is living today, whilst hiding her pregnancy from the world. And hoping she gets away with it. Hoping she can start her life again, after the baby's born. And then there's the child to consider. Has it occurred to you that she might not want to give it up for adoption?”
”It hadn't crossed my mind,” he replied. ”Felicity and I just pushed that idea to one side. But the baby will have to be adopted by a good family. Arranged by a solicitor. A family given financial support.”
”I understand. What do you think Felicity will say about Hugo and Daphne getting married? Would she go along with it?”
”She's practical by nature, so I'm sure she would, providing Daphne was happy,” he answered in a firm voice. ”She wanted Daphne to come out, be presented at Court, and she was planning a grand debutante's ball for her next year...”
He broke off, shook his head. ”Every time we discuss this ghastly situation, the way Daphne was so brutally raped, we thank G.o.d she's alive. The most important thing is that we still have our daughter. He could have killed her.”
Charlotte said, ”Shall we go up to the house and talk to Daphne? I know Felicity has gone to see her sister ... she told me yesterday that Anne was in hospital again.”
He nodded and grimaced. ”I'm afraid she is, poor woman. DeLacy and Miles went with their mother to keep her company. Diedre and Guy have gone up to London. I rather think you knew that, too, didn't you?”
”Yes. Diedre told me she and Guy had been invited to Maxine Lowe's twenty-first birthday party, and that they were going to be in London for a few days.”
”Aunt Gwendolyn went along with them yesterday.” He laughed. ”She wasn't invited to Maxine's birthday party, but since she had planned to go to London for a bit of Mayfair and the theater,' as she called it, Diedre suggested they all travel on the train together.”
Just look at her, Charlotte thought, as she and Charles walked into the yellow sitting room a short while later. There she sat, Lady Daphne Ingham, looking beautiful in a pale blue silk tea gown, with a long strand of pearls and pearl earrings. She was one of the most extraordinary-looking young women imaginable. No wonder Hugo had fallen in love with her instantly. She was like a golden G.o.ddess.
Daphne's hair was a s.h.i.+ning halo around her face, her skin was peaches-and-cream perfect, and her blue eyes were sparkling. She's sublime, Charlotte thought. No man would be able to resist her. She was breathtaking this afternoon.
The moment she saw Charlotte and her father, Daphne stood up, came to greet them, then took Charlotte's hand in hers. ”Come and sit with me on the sofa,” she murmured.
Hanson, forever on the hover, motioned to Gordon and Malcolm to push in the tea trolleys, and led the way forward. ”Good afternoon, m'lord, Miss Charlotte. Shall we serve now, Lord Mowbray?”