Lord Meldrew? Someone unknown? Cecily could not pinpoint anyone as she hurried on, heading for the long terrace at Cavendon where Miles was waiting for her. She pushed worrying thoughts to the back of her mind.
Miles stood at the top of the steps, leaning against the balustrade, and she thought at once that he did not look good. He was wearing a navy blue linen suit that was far too big; it swam around him. Poor choice, Cecily thought, as he kissed her quickly on the cheek and then walked her along the terrace. She was going to have to take him in hand, do something about these awful clothes. Linen was not her favourite fabric. It creased in seconds.
‘What happened?’ she asked, as they sat down at the wrought-iron table in the centre of the terrace.
‘It went really well. Diedre, Dulcie and DeLacy were thrilled about Papa and Charlotte, so no problems there.’
‘I didn’t think there would be. After all, my aunt practically brought them up.’ Cecily sat back in the chair, put her hand in her pocket and brought out the piece of bone, then quickly told Miles about her encounter with Genevra.
After examining the bone, turning it around, he asked, ‘What do the little engravings mean?’
‘I don’t know. She never explains. I have a bone, so does Charlotte, and she made one for Daphne years ago. When Hugo was going off to fight in the Great War, Daphne begged her to explain the carvings. Sympathetic to Daphne’s worries, Genevra finally gave in. She said Daphne would have five children. And she did.’
‘The bits of ribbon I understand completely. They represent the House of Ingham. Scarlet and azure are our colours.’
Cecily simply nodded.
Miles said, ‘And you believe in Genevra’s claim that she can see into the future, don’t you?’
‘I always have. I know she’s strange, and some people say she’s crazy, but I think she’s just different. And gifted in a certain way.’ Cecily shrugged. ‘You’re to keep the bone safe. It’s a lucky charm, according to our gypsy girl.’
Miles put Genevra’s gift into his jacket pocket, and murmured, ‘When you run into her again, thank her for me. If I see her I will do that myself.’
‘She means well, Miles. And I mean well when I tell you that you must not wear this suit ever again. It wrinkles quickly. It’s too big for you. And navy blue is not your colour.’
Miles started to laugh. ‘So I do matter to you, Miss Swann?’ He raised a brow.
Cecily felt the warmth on her neck, and she realized she was blushing. Swiftly, she said, ‘Clothes are my life, and I tell everyone if a garment doesn’t work for them.’
‘Oh, so I’m one of many, eh?’
‘I wouldn’t say that. I do care how you look.’
‘Why?’
‘Because you’re my friend.’
‘Thank you, Ceci, for being my friend. And you know I feel the same way about you.’
‘I do. And I think we can manage to make this weekend work, if we’re cordial with each other, as we agreed to be earlier today.’
He smiled at her and stood up. ‘I think we’d better go inside; it’s teatime, and Papa is expecting you to join us.’
‘You’re getting married!’ Lavinia exclaimed, her incredulity apparent as she stared at her brother.
‘I am, yes,’ Charles answered, sitting back in his chair.
‘To whom?’ Lavinia asked, ‘And when?’
‘I’m marrying Charlotte, of course, and then—’
‘Thank heavens for that!’ Great-Aunt Gwendolyn instantly cut in, detecting a critical nuance in Lavinia’s voice, wishing to avert any unpleasantness. ‘And it’s about time, too. I, for one, am thrilled to welcome Charlotte to this family.’
‘So am I, Charles,’ his youngest sister, Vanessa, announced, smiling at him. Looking pointedly at her great-aunt, she then added, ‘But, actually, Charlotte’s been a part of this family since we were all children, growing up together.’
‘There might well be gossip, you know,’ Lavinia interjected, focusing on her brother. ‘You’re marrying out of your class, for one thing, and you’re fifty-seven, Charles. Why get married at all? Why not just continue in the same situation? I think your actions might seem inappropriate to many people, especially your friends. You know how you loathe scandal touching the family.’
The yellow drawing room went unusually quiet.
There wasn’t a sound. Not one person said a word. No one moved, not even slightly. The stillness was overwhelming.
Miles glanced across at his father and saw at once how stunned Charles looked. He was about to get up, but Dulcie beat him to it. His sister sprang to her feet, flew across the room and stood behind her father’s chair, one hand on his shoulder.
She said in a cutting voice, ‘With all due respect, Aunt Lavinia, I don’t believe Papa was seeking your approval. What he chooses to do is none of your business … nobody’s business, in fact. He was actually being courteous. He wished to tell us he was getting married to Charlotte, and discuss the weekend events—’
‘And I’m in charge of those!’ Miles exclaimed, also jumping up, taking over from Dulcie, seizing his chance to change the direction of the conversation. He said in a strong, determined voice, ‘Cecily has been helping me plan things. So let me proceed. Tonight it will be the usual quiet family dinner, just Inghams present. But tomorrow evening will be a different thing altogether, an engagement party – a gala, in a sense, as engagement dinners usually are. Harry, Cecily, Mrs Alice and Walter will be joining Papa and Charlotte, and also—’
Cutting across Miles in the rudest manner, Lavinia addressed her brother. ‘I assume you haven’t invited any of your friends, Charles. And perhaps that’s for the best.’
‘Actually, Charlotte and I have kept it to a minimum. We wanted a small family wedding, with just a few close friends. But we will be giving a party when we return from our honeymoon,’ he finished, his blue eyes icy. Turning away from his sister, Charles said in a softer tone to Miles, ‘Please continue, Miles. Sorry you were interrupted.’
‘Thank you, Papa. On Sunday morning, Charlotte and Papa will be married in the church on the estate. After the service, Cecily and I will host a luncheon. This will be in a buffet style, as we favoured for the cotillions in the past. In the afternoon, the bride and groom will leave for their honeymoon. Of course, all of the Swanns are invited, as well as the Inghams.’
Dulcie said, ‘The four Dees and Alicia are going to be bridesmaids. Well, three of us. Naturally, Daphne will be the matron-of-honour.’
Daphne, relieved that Miles and Dulcie had stopped Lavinia’s idiotic chatter, stood and walked across the room. She said to Charles, ‘I think I should tell Hanson we are now ready for tea, Papa.’
‘What a good idea,’ Charles replied. He was proud of his children for taking over, and so expertly squashing Lavinia, who had been unusually rude. She had overstepped the mark, and he would put her in her place later.
Reaching the door, Daphne jerked it open, much to the surprise of Hanson, who was standing guard outside. ‘Goodness me, Lady Daphne, you really made me jump.’
‘I’m so sorry, Hanson. And you can stand down now. His Lordship has broken the news to his sisters and Lady Gwendolyn.’
‘How did they take it, Lady Daphne?’
‘I must admit, Aunt Lavinia seemed utterly taken aback, but not Aunt Vanessa, who was lovely about it. As for