Part 24 (2/2)
The two women hugged, and Vanessa exclaimed, ”Char, you look beautiful! And that lavender frock does suit you.”
Charlotte said, ”You look marvelous yourself, Vans.” As usual, these two women reverted to their childhood nicknames for each other whenever they met after an absence on Vanessa's part. She lived mostly in London and only came to Cavendon for the holidays and special occasions.
”I'm feeling good. In top form, actually,” Vanessa answered.
”I suppose you're still banging the drum for the suffragettes, aren't you?”
”Yes, but I'm not so militant these days. We are making good progress. Emmeline Pankhurst is a charming, brilliant, and powerful woman, and she's getting people to listen to her, to pay attention. You'll see, Char, one day women will have equal rights. Where are you heading now?”
”To the South Wing, I'm doing the floral decorations for the rooms being used for the wedding on Sat.u.r.day.”
”Then you're in your element, gardens and gardening are your vocation. I'll keep you company for a few minutes.”
The two women started walking, Vanessa falling in step with Charlotte. They had been close since they were children, had grown up together, were comfortable and at ease with each other. Vanessa Ingham was a modern woman, something of a visionary, tolerant, liberal minded, and without any side to her.
After a moment, Vanessa casually remarked, ”I must admit, I was awfully surprised when I received the wedding invitation. They'd only just got engaged. Is there a reason for this headlong rush to the altar?” She gave Charlotte a penetrating stare.
”Anne Sedgewick's illness is one of the reasons. Sadly, she's at death's door, and could pa.s.s away at any moment. Daphne asked her parents to let her get married as soon as possible, while Anne is still alive. She knew that if she made the date for later in the year, she and Hugo might have to postpone the wedding for the mandatory mourning period.”
”Oh gosh yes, I hadn't thought of that. What are the other reasons?” Vanessa probed.
”Hugo's business interests. He's very successful. I'm sure Charlie told you that. He has to be in Zurich and also New York very soon and he wishes Daphne to travel with him. I can't say I blame him.”
”Neither can I. They're lucky they found each other, aren't they? It's not so easy to fall in love these days. There aren't that many eligible men around. Charles told me it was love at first sight for those two.”
”Yes. And you'll see how happy they are together, and well suited. Hugo's a rather special man.”
”I'm glad. Has Charlie said anything to you about Lavinia?”
Charlotte stopped in her tracks, and gave Vanessa a direct look, nodded. ”He's been a little worried about her and a new male friend. But he didn't really say much more than that.”
”He's truly angry with her, Char, and he thinks she's making a fool of herself with that awful Alex Mellor. A seasoned womanizer, if ever there was one, and I tend to agree with Charles. He's terrified of scandal touching the family.”
”I know that. Don't you remember how upset he was when we were young, when the Hateful Harriette was falling about drunk, making scenes in Mayfair nightclubs, and getting herself in the newspapers? Charlie was mortified his father had to go through that ghastly episode.”
Vanessa made a face, and said, ”It was tremendously embarra.s.sing for him, and he doesn't want to have scandal blight the family name ever again.” She squeezed Charlotte's arm. ”I'd better dash. I'm going to be the last one in for tea, as usual. See you later.”
”I'll be around if you need me, Vans. In the South Wing all day tomorrow.”
Charlotte watched Vanessa flying off, racing across the lawn. She had always been thin, fast, and elegant, like a pedigree filly. A thoroughbred. Charlotte loved her, and appreciated what a true and loyal friend she was. They were devoted.
A few seconds later she went into the kitchen, and was greeted by the sound of Cook singing, ”Here comes the bride! Here comes the bride!”
Mrs. Jackson was alone, standing in front of her long oak table, waving a wooden spoon in the air like the conductor of an orchestra.
She stopped singing abruptly when she spotted Charlotte. ”Luvely ter see yer, Miss Charlotte. Miss Wilson said ter tell yer she won't be a minute.”
”I'm not in a hurry, Cook, and I must say, you're certainly in the right mood for the wedding.”
”I am that, right thrilled. It's a treat ter see Lady Daphne so happy. Mr. Hugo's luvely, that he is.”
Charlotte agreed, and continued, ”Are you sure you don't need extra help on Sat.u.r.day? I can get a few more of the village girls to come in if you need them, Mrs. Jackson.”
”I don't, but thank yer, Miss Charlotte. We're well prepared. As yer knows, Hanson is the master of organization.”
Before Charlotte could make any comment, Olive Wilson, lady's maid to the countess, walked into the kitchen. ”Sorry to keep you waiting, Charlotte. I had to check on something for her ladys.h.i.+p.”
”That's all right, Olive.”
”I'll make yer a pot of tea,” Cook announced.
Charlotte glanced at Olive, who nodded and said, ”That would be nice, Cook, thanks ever so much.”
Within seconds, Olive was carrying a tray holding a teapot and two cups and saucers into the servants' hall down the corridor. It was quiet and cool after the warm kitchen.
Olive poured the tea, and said, ”Thank you for coming. Alice said you'd be here in the South Wing, but I didn't want to miss you. That's why I sent a message.”
”I gather you wish to speak about something private,” Charlotte answered, giving Olive a questioning look.
”I do, and I realize that this might not be a good time, just before the wedding. But I'm very worried about her ladys.h.i.+p. Sick with worry, really.”
”Why? What's the matter with her?”
”She's ... well, she's just not right. Not the way she was before I went to London to deal with my mother's affairs. I really do believe she's ill.”
”What leads you to think that?” Charlotte pressed, leaning forward, wanting to know more. Had Olive seen something in Felicity that she had missed?
”She's not behaving like the woman I know, and have known for quite a few years. She's remote, preoccupied, and also absent-minded. I know she's not sleeping well, because that she told me, and certainly she has no appet.i.te. Actually, Charlotte, her ladys.h.i.+p seems to be living in her own world. I feel, somehow, that she's isolated.”
Charlotte was thoughtful for a moment before she said slowly, carefully, ”I've noticed a remoteness in her, a distance, and I do know she has been preoccupied, Olive. I'm sure the latter has something to do with her sister's illness. The countess has been, and no doubt still is, very worried about Anne Sedgewick.”
”She goes to the hospital a lot, to visit her sister, but I have a feeling she's also seeing a doctor there, getting advice,” Olive confided quietly.
Startled by this comment, Charlotte exclaimed, ”How could you know that?”
”I don't, not for sure. It's intuition on my part. I think that she might have an illness, and is trying to keep it a secret. From all of us, including the earl.”
”I hope not, Olive. Look, why don't you just come out and ask her if she's feeling unwell?”
”I have thought of doing that.” Olive compressed her mouth, looking more worried than ever. ”But I don't like to intrude.”
”You must ask her. She'll confide in you, after all, you're with her all the time. She depends on you for so many personal things. You help her to dress and undress, and you do her hair. You look after her clothes and jewels, all of those things. You're on a truly personal basis with her ladys.h.i.+p, and always in her orbit. Ask her, and let me know what she says. Maybe we can help her, you and I. Maybe she needs some loving care, and someone to unburden herself to ... like you.”
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